Nanoparticle Toxicity Assessment in Biomedical Applications
Summary
Engineered nanoparticles have emerged as versatile agents in drug delivery, imaging and diagnostics, yet their unique physicochemical characteristics can provoke unforeseen biological responses. Assessing nanoparticle toxicity in biomedical contexts requires an integrated strategy encompassing in vitro cell‐based assays, in vivo animal models and advanced analytical techniques. Key determinants of toxic outcome include particle size, shape, chemical composition, surface charge and the formation of a protein corona in biological fluids. Modern approaches combine high‐throughput screening of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity with mechanistic studies of oxidative stress, inflammation and organ‐specific distribution. Emerging tools such as multi‐omics profiling and predictive computational modelling aim to correlate nanoparticle properties with biological endpoints, thereby informing safer design and regulatory decision‐making. Global collaboration and standardisation of testing protocols are critical to translate these assessments into clinical and environmental safety guidelines.
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Nanoparticle Toxicity Assessment in Biomedical Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle toxicity assessment in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can damage cellular components.
Protein corona: Layer of biomolecules adsorbed onto a nanoparticle surface upon contact with biological fluids, influencing cellular uptake and toxicity.
Genotoxicity: Ability of a substance to induce DNA damage or chromosomal alterations in cells.
Cytotoxicity: Capacity of a material to cause cell death or impair cell function in vitro or in vivo.
Sub-chronic exposure: Repeated administration of a substance over an intermediate timeframe (typically weeks to months) to assess cumulative toxicity.
References
- Mechanistic approach to investigate the induction of toxicity by magnesium oxide nanoparticles on testicular, nervous and muscular tissues of albino rats. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology (2024).
- Mechanisms of Nanoparticle‐Induced Oxidative Stress and Toxicity. BioMed Research International (2013).
- Genotoxicity of Aluminum and Aluminum Oxide Nanomaterials in Rats Following Oral Exposure. Nanomaterials (2020).
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