The methods of nanoceria’s coating for improving their biomedical application

Abstract

Due to coexistence of Ce3+ and Ce4+ ions and formation of oxygen vacancies on its surface, CeO2 (nanoceria) is the most important rare-earth oxide and potent free radical scavenger. These nanoparticles can collect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect healthy cells from oxidative stress, but they also show cytotoxicity after prolonged exposure of cells to higher concentrations. This dual behavior of nanoceria represents a great pharmacological potential, such as improving the treatment of cancers, drug delivery and catalysis. The aim of this study was to develop of appropriate methods for synthesizing these nanoparticles, which was particularly challenging because of their low solubility. To facilitate nanoparticle’s entry into the cells, we further coated these nanoparticles with the addition of carbohydrate (glucose, levan or pullulan) in the reaction mixture during and after the synthesis of nanoceria. We investigated which of two applied methods of synthesis gave more soluble ceria nanoparticles in order to improve their biomedical application.