Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesised Using Capparis decidua

Background: Among the nanoparticles, selenium nanoparticles (SeNP) are one of the most extensively studied as Selenium has zero oxidation state, non toxic and biologically inert material. This is the reason why Selenium is considered as a major nanoparticulate. In this study SeNPs were extracted from the fruit of Capparis decidua which is a xerophytic small herb.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the cytotoxic effect and antioxidant capacity of selenium nanoparticles.

Materials and Methods: In this study SeNPs were extracted from the fruit of Capparis decidua which is a xerophytic small herb. The cytotoxic effect of SeNPs was evaluated using Brine Shrimp assay and the antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH assay considering ascorbic acid as the standard.

Results: From the study of this assay the shrimps introduced into the well were almost alive in different concentrations and this indicates that there is no cytotoxicity in selenium nanoparticles. The percentage inhibition of Selenium nanoparticles in 10 µl was 15.4 0.1, 20 µl was 38.36 0.15, 30 µl was 45.3 0.1, 40 µl was 59.6 0.15 and 50 µl was 65.6 0.1. It can be inferred that percentage inhibition increases with increase in concentration but it was less when compared to the percentage inhibition of the standard.

Conclusion: The selenium nanoparticles extracted from Capparis decidua do not have any cytotoxic effect on shrimps. The SeNPs possessed significant antioxidant activity in increasing concentrations compared to the standard used. Thus SeNPs are biologically useful and can be used as eco-friendly, cost effective and efficient biomedical agents and therapeutics.