Analysis of the Toxicity of a Cu2O Nanocomposite Encapsulated in a Polymer Matrix of Arabinogalactan

• Published in: Nanobiotechnology Reports (Online) 2021-07, Vol.16 (4), p.537-542
• Main Authors: Titov, E. A., Sosedova, L. M., Kapustina, E. A., Yakimova, N. L., Novikov, M. A., Lisetskaya, L. G., Lizarev, A. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aqueous solutions; Bioelectricity; Body weight; Brain; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper; Copper oxides; Encapsulation; Genotoxicity; Industrial and Production Engineering; Liver; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials Science; Nanobiomedicine and Nanopharmaceuticals; Nanocomposites; Nanotechnology; Processes; Toxic hazards; Toxicity
• ISSN: 2635-1676; 1995-0780; 2635-1684; 1995-0799
• DOI: 10.1134/S2635167621040145

— An analysis of the acute and subacute toxicity of a copper oxide nanocomposite (NC) encapsulated in natural polymeric matrix of arabinogalactan is presented. The study was carried out in two stages. At the first stage, the acute toxicity of the NC was studied. For this, white mice were orally administered one time with an aqueous solution of NC at a dose 2000 mg/kg. The study demonstrated that according to this parameter, NC belongs to low-toxicity substances of hazard class 5. At the second stage, the biological response of the white rats was evaluated with a subacute intragastric effect of Cu 2 ОAG NC at a dose of 500 µg/kg (based on Cu) body weight within 10 days. The study demonstrated an increase in the contents of copper in the brain tissue, liver, and kidneys compared with the control group. Morphological and neurophysiological changes were detected in white rats treated with this NC. A pronounced macrophage reaction consisting in an increase in the number of Kupffer cells in the organ sinusoids was observed in liver tissue. In the tissues of the sensorimotor cortex of the brain, a sharp decrease in the number of astroglia cells was detected, which indicates a selective cytotoxicity of this NC. When studying the bioelectric activity of the sensorimotor cortex of the brain in animals a decrease in β-2 rhythm of background electroencephalogram, as well as a decrease in the amplitude of the P2 and N2-P3 peaks of the visually evoked potentials, were observed. No genotoxic effects were detected under the influence of the NC.