Cytotoxic Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on MCF-7 Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Cancer is a widespread disease of various types worldwide that affects many people. Today, titanium dioxide nanoparticles have substantial therapeutic applications. We investigated how harmful titanium dioxide is to breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cancer cells and HFF cell lines were cultured. The survival of cells exposed to different amounts of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was tested. The examined concentrations were 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml. The survival rate was measured after 48 and 72 hours and IC50 was determined. We found that the highest toxicity occured while MCF-7 and HFF cells were exposed to 200 μg/ml of titanium dioxide. Apoptosis in MCF-7 and HFF cells emerged as shown with Annexin V-PI staining and flow cytometry. Under a microscope, it was found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles could be harmful in specific amounts. At a dose of 200 μg/ml, after 48 and 72 hours of treatment, MCF-7 and HFF cells were affected. The mitochondrial membrane broke when breast cells were exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The matrix leaked into the cytoplasm, and the rough endoplasmic reticulum swelled. These observations occurred after 72 hours of treatment with a concentration of 200 µg/ml. Considering the acquired effects, titanium dioxide nanoparticles may be advocated as potential medicinal candidates for pharmaceutical purposes even though further research is required.

Keywords

• tio2 nanoparticles
• flow cytometry
• micronucleus assay
• mtt assay
• tem