Selenium Nanoparticle Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have emerged as versatile agents that combine the essential biological functions of selenium with the unique physicochemical properties of nanoscale materials. Synthesis approaches span chemical reduction, green biosynthesis using plant extracts or microbial cultures, and hybrid methods that employ biological capping agents to tune particle size, surface charge and stability. Chemical routes allow precise control over nucleation and growth but often require toxic reagents, whereas green methods exploit phytochemicals or microbial enzymes to produce SeNPs under mild conditions, yielding biocompatible surfaces and reducing environmental impact. Once generated, SeNPs exhibit potent antioxidant activity by scavenging reactive oxygen species, modulate redox-sensitive pathways, and serve as carriers for targeted drug delivery. In oncology, SeNPs can enhance chemotherapeutic index, radiosensitise tumour cells and enable multimodal imaging. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial action arises from membrane disruption, oxidative stress induction and biofilm eradication. Anti-inflammatory potential is mediated via inhibition of NF-κB signalling and cytokine modulation. Collectively, these properties underscore the global significance of SeNPs as multifunctional platforms for diagnostics, therapeutics and tissue engineering, with ongoing efforts to optimise biocompatibility, biodistribution and large-scale production.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have explored synergistic nanohybrid systems that combine SeNPs with bioactive proteins to amplify antibacterial efficacy. One work describes the fabrication of a lysozyme–SeNP hybrid in which electrostatic interactions yield stable nanoassemblies that outperform individual components against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Enhanced inhibition at markedly lower protein doses highlights potential in overcoming antibiotic resistance. Another investigation demonstrates an eco-friendly, extract-mediated route using a succulent tuber to produce uniformly spherical SeNPs. These particles exhibit selective cytotoxicity towards breast cancer cells while sparing non-malignant lines, alongside larvicidal activity against mosquito vectors and efficient photocatalysis of environmental dyes. Computational docking studies further suggest favourable interactions with cancer-related proteins, pointing towards integrated cancer therapy and environmental remediation applications.

Selenium Nanoparticle Synthesis and Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in selenium nanoparticle synthesis and biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Green synthesis: A biogenic approach that uses plant extracts or microorganisms as reducing and stabilising agents to form nanoparticles under mild, environmentally friendly conditions.

Zeta potential: The electrical potential at the slipping plane of a nanoparticle in suspension; a key predictor of colloidal stability and propensity to aggregate.

Polydispersity index (PDI): A dimensionless measure of particle size distribution uniformity; lower values indicate more homogeneous samples.

Nanohybrid system: A composite material combining nanoparticles with organic or biological molecules to achieve synergistic or multifunctional properties.

Ostwald ripening: A mechanism by which larger particles grow at the expense of smaller ones in a colloidal system, driven by differences in solubility.

References

1. Theranostic applications of selenium nanomedicines against lung cancer. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2023).
2. Phytofabrication of Selenium Nanoparticles From Emblica officinalis Fruit Extract and Exploring Its Biopotential Applications: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Biocompatibility. Frontiers in Microbiology (2019).
3. Synthesis and Characterization of Selenium Nanoparticles-Lysozyme Nanohybrid System with Synergistic Antibacterial Properties. Scientific Reports (2020).
4. Green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles mediated from Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb extract and its cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, mosquitocidal and photocatalytic activities. Scientific Reports (2021).
5. Selenium nanoparticles decorated with Ulva lactuca polysaccharide potentially attenuate colitis by inhibiting NF-κB mediated hyper inflammation. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2017).