Toxicol Res.  2013 Mar;29(1):35-42.

Selective Effects of Curcumin on CdSe/ZnS Quantum-dot-induced Phototoxicity Using UVA Irradiation in Normal Human Lymphocytes and Leukemia Cells

Affiliations
  • 1School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. chunghw@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) have received considerable attention due to their potential role in photosensitization during photodynamic therapy. Although QDS are attractive nanomaterials due to their novel and unique physicochemical properties, concerns about their toxicity remain. We suggest a combination strategy, CdSe/ZnS QDs together with curcumin, a natural yellow pigment from turmeric, to reduce QD-induced cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to explore a potentially effective cancer treatment: co-exposure of HL-60 cells and human normal lymphocytes to CdSe/ZnS QDs and curcumin. Cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and DNA damage induced by QDs and/or curcumin with or without ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation were evaluated in both HL-60 cells and normal lymphocytes. In HL-60 cells, cell death, apoptosis, ROS generation, and single/double DNA strand breaks induced by QDs were enhanced by treatment with curcumin and UVA irradiation. The protective effects of curcumin on cell viability, apoptosis, and ROS generation were observed in normal lymphocytes, but not leukemia cells. These results demonstrated that treatment with QD combined with curcumin increased cell death in HL-60 cells, which was mediated by ROS generation. However, curcumin acted as an antioxidant in cultured human normal lymphocytes.

Keyword

CdSe/ZnS QDs; Curcumin; Apoptosis; Reactive oxygen species; DNA damage

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Cell Death
Cell Survival
Curcuma
Curcumin
Dermatitis, Phototoxic
DNA
DNA Damage
HL-60 Cells
Humans
Leukemia
Lymphocytes
Nanostructures
Photochemotherapy
Photosensitivity Disorders
Quantum Dots
Reactive Oxygen Species
Curcumin
DNA
Reactive Oxygen Species
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