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Nanoparticle Toxicity: Understanding the Risks and Implications for Biomedical Applications

Toby Ankund*

Department of Nanomedicine, University of Texas, Houston, USA

*Corresponding Author:
Toby Ankund
Department of Nanomedicine, University of Texas, Houston, USA
E-mail: ankunding@gmail.com

Received: 15-Nov-2024, Manuscript No. JPN-24-156191; Editor assigned: 18-Nov-2024, PreQC No. JPN-24-156191 (PQ); Reviewed: 02-Dec-2024, QC No. JPN-24-156191; Revised: 09-Dec-2024, Manuscript No. JPN-24-156191 (R); Published: 16-Dec-2024, DOI:10.4172/2347-7857.12.4.001. 

Citation: Ankund T. Nanoparticle Toxicity: Understanding the Risks and Implications for Biomedical Applications. RRJ Pharm Nano. 2024;12:001.

Copyright: © 2024 Ankund T. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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About the Study

Nanotechnology has become a key element in modern science, with nanoparticles finding widespread applications in fields ranging from drug delivery to diagnostics, imaging and environmental remediation. Their unique physicochemical properties, including high surface area, small size and reactivity, offer significant advantages in biomedicine. However, as the use of nanoparticles in medical and consumer products increases, concerns over their potential toxicity are gaining prominence. This article aims to explore the complexities of nanoparticle toxicity, highlight the factors that contribute to toxicological concerns and discuss the implications for their biomedical applications.

Nanoparticles are defined as materials with at least one dimension in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm. This size range grants them unique properties that differ significantly from their bulk counterparts, such as enhanced permeability, bioactivity and the ability to penetrate biological barriers like cell membranes. While these attributes make nanoparticles highly useful for applications such as targeted drug delivery and diagnostic imaging, their small size and increased surface area can also present potential risks to human health and the environment.

Nanoparticles can enter the body via various routes, including inhalation, ingestion, dermal contact and injection. Once inside the body, nanoparticles can interact with biological systems in unpredictable ways, potentially leading to toxicity.

Unlike larger particles, nanoparticles may be able to cross cellular barriers, accumulate in organs and interact with cells and tissues at the molecular level, resulting in both local and systemic adverse effects.

Factors affecting nanoparticle toxicity

Several factors contribute to the toxicity of nanoparticles, including their size, surface charge, chemical composition, shape and solubility. Each of these characteristics can influence how nanoparticles interact with biological systems and determine the degree of toxicity they may induce:

Size and surface area: The small size and large surface area-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles are among the primary reasons for their unique properties. However, these attributes can also lead to increased reactivity, which might result in the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and oxidative stress, causing cellular damage. Smaller nanoparticles, particularly those under 100 nm, are more likely to be taken up by cells and tissues, which increases their potential for toxicity.

Surface charge: The small size and large surface area-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles are among the primary reasons for their unique properties. However, these attributes can also lead to increased reactivity, which might result in the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and oxidative stress, causing cellular damage. Smaller nanoparticles, particularly those under 100 nm, are more likely to be taken up by cells and tissues, which increases their potential for toxicity.

Chemical composition: The materials used to fabricate nanoparticles significantly affect their toxicity. For instance, nanoparticles made from metals such as silver, gold or copper or metal oxides like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, have been shown to exhibit varying degrees of toxicity based on their composition. Some materials, such as carbon nanotubes or graphene, have been associated with inflammation and fibrosis, particularly when they are not properly functionalized or if they accumulate in tissues over time.

Shape and surface modification: The shape of nanoparticles also influences their toxicity. Spherical nanoparticles tend to have different biological interactions compared to rod-shaped or tubular nanoparticles. Additionally, surface functionalization or modification-such as attaching biomolecules or polymers to nanoparticles-can help reduce toxicity by improving biocompatibility, controlling their distribution in the body and minimizing undesirable interactions with biological systems.

Solubility and biodegradability: The solubility and biodegradability of nanoparticles play a major role in their potential for toxicity. Non-biodegradable nanoparticles may accumulate in the body, leading to chronic exposure and long-term toxicity. On the other hand, biodegradable nanoparticles may undergo controlled degradation, reducing the risk of accumulation and enabling safer elimination from the body.