Evaluation of potential environmental toxicity of polymeric nanomaterials and surfactants

• Published in: Environmental toxicology and pharmacology 2020-05, Vol.76, p.103353-11, Article 103353
• Main Authors: Hering, Indra, Eilebrecht, Elke, Parnham, Michael J., Günday-Türeli, Nazende, Türeli, Akif Emre, Weiler, Marc, Schäfers, Christoph, Fenske, Martina, Wacker, Matthias G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aquatic organisms; Biocompatibility; Danio rerio; Ecotoxicity; Embryo, Nonmammalian - drug effects; Embryos; Environmental impact; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Methylcellulose; Nanomaterials; Nanostructures - chemistry; Nanostructures - toxicity; Nanotechnology; Pollutants; Polylactide-co-glycolide; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Receptors, Estrogen - genetics; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - drug effects; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Surface-Active Agents - toxicity; Surfactants; Toxicity; Toxicity testing; Toxicity Tests; Zebrafish
• ISSN: 1382-6689; 1872-7077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103353

•Surfactants and polymers used in nanoformulations were tested in fish embryo tests.•The most ecotoxic polymer was Eudragit® E100 compared to PLGA and HPMCP.•Pluronics were environmentally less toxic than Cremophors.•Pluronics caused a conspicuous phenotype of shriveled chorion. Nanomaterials have gained huge importance in various fields including nanomedicine. Nanoformulations of drugs and nanocarriers are used to increase pharmaceutical potency. However, it was seen that polymeric nanomaterials can cause negative effects. Thus, it is essential to identify nanomaterials with the least adverse effects on aquatic organisms. To determine the toxicity of polymeric nanomaterials, we investigated the effects of poly(lactic-co-glycolid) acid (PLGA), Eudragit® E 100 and hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) on zebrafish embryos using the fish embryo toxicity test (FET). Furthermore, we studied Cremophor® RH40, Cremophor® A25, Pluronic® F127 and Pluronic® F68 applied in the generation of nanoformulations to identify the surfactant with minimal toxic impact. The order of ecotoxicty was HPMCP < PLGA < Eudragit® E100 and Pluronic® F68 < Pluronic® F127 < Cremophor® RH40 < Cremophor® A25. In summary, HPMCP and Pluronic® F68 displayed the least toxic impact, thus suggesting adequate environmental compatibility for the generation of nanomedicines.