Genotoxicity of ferric oxide nanoparticles in Raphanus sativus: Deciphering the role of signaling factors, oxidative stress and cell death
Quaiser Saquib
,
Mohammad Faisal
,
Abdulrahman A. Alatar
,
Abdulaziz A. Al-Khedhairy
,
Mukhtar Ahmed
,
Sabiha M. Ansari
,
Hend A. Alwathnani
,
Mohammad K. Okla
,
Sourabh Dwivedi
,
Javed Musarrat
,
Shelly Praveen
,
Shams T. Khan
,
Rizwan Wahab
,
Maqsood A. Siddiqui
,
Javed Ahmad
DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2015.12.037
Received September 13, 2015,Revised November 26, 2015, Accepted December 24, 2015, Available online April 18, 2016
Volume 28,2016,Pages 49-62
We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) in Raphanus sativus (radish). Fe2O3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish. Ultrathin sections of treated roots showed subcellular localization of Fe2O3-NPs, along with the appearance of damaged mitochondria and excessive vacuolization. Flow cytometric analysis of Fe2O3-NPs (1.0 mg/mL) treated groups exhibited 219.5%, 161%, 120.4% and 161.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), nitric oxide (NO) and Ca2+ influx in radish protoplasts. A concentration dependent increase in the antioxidative enzymes glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) has been recorded. Comet assay showed a concentration dependent increase in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand breaks in Fe2O3-NPs treated groups. Cell cycle analysis revealed 88.4% of cells in sub-G1 apoptotic phase, suggesting cell death in Fe2O3-NPs (2.0 mg/mL) treated group. Taking together, the genotoxicity induced by Fe2O3-NPs highlights the importance of environmental risk associated with improper disposal of nanoparticles (NPs) and radish can serve as a good indicator for measuring the phytotoxicity of NPs grown in NP-polluted environment.
