Anti-inflammatory Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2009-12, Vol.5 (24), p.2848-2856
• Main Authors: Hirst, Suzanne M., Karakoti, Ajay S., Tyler, Ron D., Sriranganathan, Nammalwar, Seal, Sudipta, Reilly, Christopher M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - toxicity; Cell Line; Cerium - administration & dosage; Cerium - toxicity; Cerium oxide; Cytokines - immunology; Enzymes; Free radicals; inflammation; Macrophages - drug effects; Macrophages - immunology; Materials Testing; Mice; nanoceria; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - administration & dosage; Nanoparticles - toxicity; Nanostructure; Nitric oxide; oxygen defects; Reactive Oxygen Species - immunology; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.200901048

The valence and oxygen defect properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) suggest that they may act as auto‐regenerative free radical scavengers. Overproduction of the free radical nitric oxide (NO) by the enzyme inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been implicated as a critical mediator of inflammation. NO is correlated with disease activity and contributes to tissue destruction. The ability of nanoceria to scavenge free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibit inflammatory mediator production in J774A.1 murine macrophages is investigated. Cells internalize nanoceria, the treatment is nontoxic, and oxidative stress and pro‐inflammatory iNOS protein expression are abated with stimulation. In vivo studies show nanoceria deposition in mouse tissues with no pathogenicity. Taken together, it is suggested that cerium oxide nanoparticles are well tolerated in mice and are incorporated into cellular tissues. Furthermore, nanoceria may have the potential to reduce ROS production in states of inflammation and therefore serve as a novel therapy for chronic inflammation. Oxygen defects in cerium oxide nanoparticle quench free radicals in mouse macrophage cells (see image). This could impart protective effects and limit cellular damage caused by oxidation during states of inflammation.