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Abstract Cerium oxide nanoparticle (CeO‐NP) was synthesized using Origanum majorana L. leaf extract and characterized using particle size analyzer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects of CeO‐NP in human breast carcinoma cells (MDA‐MB‐231 cell line) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as normal cells were evaluated. To determine the probable molecular mechanism of action of CeO‐NP on cellular redox and anti‐inflammatory potential, the expressions of antioxidant‐related genes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in HUVEC cell line were also analyzed. The results indicated that spherically shaped nanoparticles with a size of 10–70 nm bound to functional phenolic and flavonoids from O. majorana L. leaf extract. The green synthesized CeO‐NP showed antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS free radicals. The antioxidant activity was significantly ( p < 0.001) lower than that of Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) as a reference antioxidant. The obtained results elucidated that CeO‐NP possessed cytotoxicity. The cytotoxic effects of CeO‐NP were higher against MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cells compared to HUVEC normal cells. In addition, this NP was capable to enhance the expression of CAT and SOD as main antioxidant‐related genes. Consequently, the higher cytotoxic effects of CeO‐NP against breast cancer compared to normal cells indicated the potential use of this NP as anti‐cancer agent. However, more research on its cytotoxicity against other cancer cells and mechanisms in which this NP exert its anti‐cancer properties should be performed.
Nezhad et al. (Thu,) studied this question.