Preparation and evaluation of As_2O_3 nanoparticles for treatment of human liver cancer cells in vitro

摘要

This paper studies the preparation method of As_2O_3 nanoparticles and their antitumor effect on human liver cancer cells. As_2O_3 nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel method. As_2O_3 nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscope ( TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer ( EDS) and computer color magic image analysis system (CMIAS). A methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and a flow cytometry (FCM) assay were performed to examine the antitumor effect of As_2O_3 nanoparticlesat various concentrations(1, 2, 5, 10 mumol/L). We also compared the antitumor effect of As_2O_3 nanoparticles with that of As_2O_3 solution. The average diameters of two kinds of As_2O_3 nanoparticles prepared were about 80 nm and 40 nm. It was identified that the prepared nanoparticles were As_2O_3 and there were no other components by EDS. After 48 h of treatment with As_2O_3 nanoparticles, the survival ratio of cells was significantly lower than that of the As2O3 solution with the same concentration(P < 0. 05). Experimental results demonstrate that by sol-gel method As_2O_3 can be prepared into nanoparticles. As_2O_3 nanoparticles can produce a better cytotoxic effect on tumor cells than the As_2O_3 solution.