Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Prospects and Applications in Medicine.

Lukasz Sobotta,Daniel Ziental,Arleta Glowacka-Sobotta,Tomasz Goslinski,Dariusz T Mlynarczyk,Beata Czarczynska-Goslinska,Beata Stanisz

doi:10.3390/nano10020387

Lukasz Sobotta, Daniel Ziental + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10020387

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Abstract

Metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs), including titanium dioxide NPs, among polymeric NPs, liposomes, micelles, quantum dots, dendrimers, or fullerenes, are becoming more and more important due to their potential use in novel medical therapies. Titanium dioxide (titanium(IV) oxide, titania, TiO2) is an inorganic compound that owes its recent rise in scientific interest to photoactivity. After the illumination in aqueous media with UV light, TiO2 produces an array of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The capability to produce ROS and thus induce cell death has found application in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of a wide range of maladies, from psoriasis to cancer. Titanium dioxide NPs were studied as photosensitizing agents in the treatment of malignant tumors as well as in photodynamic inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Both TiO2 NPs themselves, as well as their composites and combinations with other molecules or biomolecules, can be successfully used as photosensitizers in PDT. Moreover, various organic compounds can be grafted on TiO2 nanoparticles, leading to hybrid materials. These nanostructures can reveal increased light absorption, allowing their further use in targeted therapy in medicine. In order to improve efficient anticancer and antimicrobial therapies, many approaches utilizing titanium dioxide were tested. Results of selected studies presenting the scope of potential uses are discussed in this review.

Highlights

The intensive development of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in recent years has involved the search for new photosensitizers and specific carriers for their delivery
ToTsousmumupup kinetics of TiO2 NPs depends on many factors, including particle type, surface e coating, size, dose, anTdheexcpoomsubrineartoiounteo.f photosensitizers with TiO2 nanoparticles can be beneficial for the effectiveness ot penetrate the gastroionftePsDtiTnaalntdraccatnatreadlluocrettohae msidineimeffaelcetsxtoefncth. emotherapy. gical study indicates thaAt amftoernigntorarvgeannoicusdaydems,inmisotrsattioofnteTniOu2tNiliPzsedaccfuormucolamtebining with TiO2 are porphyrins and liver, and to some extenpthitnhtahloecsypalneienne,sl,uwnghsicahnwdekriednnueymse. rously applied as photosensitizers for PDT. n is the primary route oTfhTeiOni2trNogPesne-ldimopininagtioonf .TiO2 NPs combined with phthalocyanines can significantly increase the kinetics and bioavailabeilffiitycaocfyToiOf 2pNhoPtsordeyqnuairmeifcuartchtievriatyn,dasinittegnrseivaetlyreesenahracnhc. es the formation of singlet oxygen and superoxide anion radicals, whereas it suppresses the generation of hydroxyl radicals
Hybrid materials composed of phthalocyanines, porphyrazines, or chlorines bound to TiO2 were studied in terms of their effectiveness in antimicrobial PDT against bacteria, fungi, and parasites

Summary

Introduction

The intensive development of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in recent years has involved the search for new photosensitizers and specific carriers for their delivery. The first section of the study was concentrated on the in vitro assessment of TiO2 NPs on the maturation of dendritic cells, which form an important part of the lung immune system, whereas the second section was related to the research performed on their adjuvant activity in vivo on mice. Complementary research presenting the role of inflammatory processes was conducted by Madhubala et al, who studied in vitro cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of the low concentration of TiO2 NPs on various human cell lines [23]. Despite the statistically significant effects, some critical drawbacks of UV PDT protocol with neat titania NPs were found, mostly related to the limited penetration of UV light through tissues It seems that an increase of the therapeutic efficiency and a reduction of drug side effects can be achieved using modern medical and pharmaceutical approaches, including the so-called smart drug delivery or targeted drug delivery systems. TiO2 nanowhiskers P25 TiO2 (75% anatase and 25% rutile, size—21 nm) no data (size—100 nm)

Method of Synthesis

TiO2 Nanoparticles Combined with Phthalocyanines

TiO2 Nanoparticles As a Vehicle for Chemotherapeutics

Findings

Other Applications of TiO2 Nanoparticles in Medicine