Cerium oxide nanoparticles could increase the effectiveness of wound‑healing drugs, according to Russian scientists.
Three formulations of cerium oxide nanoparticles have been found to be safe for the body and effective at protecting cells from excessive oxidation and DNA mutations, the researchers said. The particles showed somewhat different effects: some were better at neutralising hydrogen peroxide (a type of reactive oxygen species), while others primarily prevented DNA damage. This makes them suitable for use in wound‑healing and anti‑inflammatory drugs. The study was conducted by scientists at Sechenov University, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Southern Federal University, and the Shemyakin‑Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry. The findings were published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
The researchers tested the safety of cerium oxide nanoparticles using bacterial biosensors – E. coli cells that had been artificially equipped with genes for light‑emitting proteins. The brightness of these cells changes depending on environmental conditions, the scientists said. For example, in response to DNA damage or the presence of strong oxidisers such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals, the glow dims as the cells begin to die. The authors used this effect to assess the toxicity of nanoceria.
The researchers added a small amount of nanoparticles to bacterial cultures and measured cell luminescence for two hours.
The team tested three common nanoparticle variants: those coated with citric acid (citrate coated), those coated with the polysaccharide dextran, and uncoated particles. None of the formulations affected the bacterial community, as culture luminescence remained largely unchanged.
The scientists also used the bacterial biosensors to test the antioxidant properties of nanoceria and its ability to prevent DNA mutations. To do this, they added hydrogen peroxide and a mutagenic substance to the bacterial cultures.
Citrate‑coated nanoparticles were the most effective at suppressing oxidation, reducing hydrogen peroxide‑induced cell damage by 65.6%. In experiments with the mutagen, nanoceria allowed cells to partially avoid genetic damage, with an efficiency of up to 56%.
“We have not only proven the safety of different cerium oxide nanoparticle formulations but also demonstrated their powerful antioxidant and antimutagenic properties,” said Ekaterina Silina, professor at the Department of Pathological Physiology and head of the Life Science Laboratory at Sechenov University. “It turned out that the effects of different nanoparticles differ somewhat, so for different practical applications a specific composition should be chosen. Overall, such nanomaterials could help treat chronic wounds and ulcers, as well as inflammatory liver diseases and degenerative retinal conditions.”
Silina noted that the researchers plan to continue the work needed to launch clinical trials of the drugs they are developing.
“In particular, within a week we will begin an animal experiment on treating wounds infected with antibiotic‑resistant bacterial strains,” she said. “This is an important issue because the constantly discussed topic of microbial resistance is compounded in our case by the need to achieve scar‑free wound healing that preserves all functional layers of the skin.”