Acute and subacute toxicity of novel biogenic selenium nanoparticles in mice

摘要

Context: In the present investigation, acute and subacute toxicity of the biogenic Se nanoparticles (Se NPs) has been reported. Objective: To characterize the Se NPs produced by a bacterium species and to evaluate their toxicity and impact on clinical chemistry and hematological parameters of NMRI mice. Materials and methods: The Se NPs were prepared by Bacillus sp. MSh-1 in a culture medium containing SeO₂ (1.26?mM) and their physiochemical properties investigated using TEM, XRD and FT-IR. The LD₅₀ of Se NPs and SeO₂ were determined and the subacute toxicity evaluated by orally administration of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20?mg kg?1 of Se NPs to male mice for 14 consecutive days. Parameters of blood cells, AST, ALT, ALP, creatinine, BUN, cholesterol, bilirubin, triglyceride and CPK were experimentally measured. Results: The XRD and TEM analyses showed that the spherical NPs were amorphous, in the size range of 80–220?nm. The toxicological evaluation showed that the LD₅₀ values of SeO₂ and Se NPs were 7.3 and 198.1?mg kg?1, respectively. No biochemical changes were observed from the administration of 2.5, 5 and 10?mg kg?1 of Se NPs, but a dose of 20?mg kg?1 was accompanied with signs of toxicity including lower body weight and changes in clinical chemistry and hematological parameters. Conclusion: The biogenic Se NPs were less toxic than synthetic Se NPs and much less (26-fold) toxic than the SeO₂, which demonstrates the important role of Bacillus sp. MSh-1 in conversion of a highly toxic Se compound to the less toxic Se NPs.