Synthesis of Negatively Charged CeO2 NPs and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Human Lens Epithelial (HLE) Cell Lines—Investigation for New Therapy for Cataract Treatment

Abstract

Nanotechnology can potentially treat the diseases of ageing and its conditions. Eyes are specifically vulnerable, as chronic medical pathologies may cause loss of vision. In this work, monodispersed cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) with negative surface charge were prepared by co-precipitation method using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as the precipitating agent. The as prepared NPs were studied using UV–Visible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Further, human lens epithelial (HLE) cell lines were treated with different concentrations of CeO2 NPs (10, 20 and 100 µg/mL) for 72 and 48 h followed by evaluating the cell growth and DNA damage. The concentrations of CeO2 NPs upto 100 µg/mL for about 2 days did not cause considerable genotoxicity. After treating with CeO2 NPs of concentrations over 10 µg/mL for 3 days displayed small but statistically substantial differences of damage to DNA in negative control groups. All treatment groups showed less damage when compared to positive control groups. The cellular growth observed for a period of 7 days, did not display any deviations in growth and morphological features between untreated and treated groups. However, the exposure time of CeO2 NPs may have higher effect when compared with dosage, suggesting potential for genotoxic effects at higher exposures, therefore HLE cell lines can sustain normal cellular growth when treated with CeO2 NPs of concentrations upto 100 µg/mL. Altogether, the present study results indicates the potential use of prepared CeO2 NPs for future application in the treatment of cataract.