Biosynthesis of Se nanoparticles and its effect on UV-induced DNA damage

This paper reports, an environmentally benign procedure of synthesis and characterizations of selenium nanoparticles and their protective effect against UV-induced DNA damage activities. An aqueous leaf extract of lemon plant was used as a precursor for synthesis of colloidal selenium nanoparticles. Resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV–vis spectrophotometer, photoluminescence, TEM, EDAX, FT-IR and XRD, respectively. Selenium colloidal solution exhibited an absorption maximum at 395 nm and produced an emission maximum at 525 nm. Transmission electron microscopy followed by selected area electron diffraction pattern analysis indicated the formation of spherical, polydispersed, crystalline, selenium nanoparticles of diameter ranging from (∼60 to 80 nm). X-ray diffraction studies showed the formation of 1 1 1, 2 0 0 and 2 2 0 planes of face-centered cubic (fcc) selenium. EDAX analysis confirmed the presence of selenium in nanosphere. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic investigation reveled the involvement of carboxyl (CO), hydroxyl (OH), amine (NH) functional group of lemon plant extract in preparation of selenium nanoparticles. MTT assay as well single cell gel electrophoresis assay or comet assay revealed that synthesized selenium nanoparticles, caused less cell death of lymphocytes and prevented DNA damage, when cells were exposed to UVB. The fluorescent property of selenium nanoparticles can be used as diagnostic agent. Further, their anti DNA damaging property can be investigated as a chemotherapeutic agent in cancer therapy.

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► Biosynthesis of Se nanoparticles has been carried out using lemon plant leaf extract.
► Se° colloidal solution exhibited an absorption maximum at 395 nm and emission maximum at 525 nm.
► Spherical, polydispersed, crystalline, Se° nanoparticles of size (60–80 nm) were obtained.
► Se° nanoparticles minimized death of lymphocytes and prevented DNA damage when exposed to UVB.