Zahra Foroutan
1 
, Sadaf Afshari
2, Sajjad Njafi
3,4, Amir R. Afshari
5,6,7, Seyed Sajad Ahmadi
8, Seyedsina Nemati
2, Seyedeh Mozhdeh Mirzaei
1, Afsane Bahrami
9,10* 1 Department of Medical Biotechnology & Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Neurosurgery Department, Neurovascular Section, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4 Neurosurgical Department, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
5 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
6 Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
7 Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
8 Department of Ophthalmology, Khatam-Ol-Anbia Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
9 Clinical Research Development Unit of Akbar Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10 Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Reza Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Retinoblastoma is considered a common cancer in early childhood with a poor prognosis, and innovative strategies for early diagnosis and treatment are essential. The use of nanoparticles is one of the most efficient approaches among these strategies.
Methods: Sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2) were synthesized through simple and eco-friendly green synthesis method using Arabic gum and an extract from Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fruit, respectively. Then, the nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis, PL, FTIR, XRD, FESEM/TEM, and XPS techniques. The cytotoxicity, Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay, and measurement of reactive oxygen species along with cellular uptake, were evaluated.
Results: The results of characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of SQDs and CeO2 with a crystalline nature and the average size of 4.79 and 27.31 nm, respectively. The findings indicated that SQDs had no significant inhibitory effect on normal and cancer cells. The cell uptake of SQDs demonstrated high internalization into Y79 cells with an exited green light color under a fluorescent microscope. On the other hand, CeO2 nanoparticles showed the ability to suppress the growth and increase early and late apoptosis of Y79 cells at concentrations of 500 μg/mL after 24 h. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also increased in Y79 cells after treatment with CeO2.
Conclusion: As the SQDs exhibited green light color and CeO2 enhanced apoptosis and ROS levels, this study suggested SQDs could be a potential bioimaging and labeling agent, while CeO2 may be considered for therapeutic applications in retinoblastoma.