Screening of in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential and bioactivity of nano- and micro-ZrO2 and -TiO2 particles

•Toxicity of nano- and micro-ZrO2 and TiO2 were tested in vitro.•Nano-ZrO2 and -TiO2 particles were less toxic than microparticles.•Higher antioxidant activity was observed for nanoparticles than in microparticles.

Nanometal oxides are used in tissue engineering and implants. The increased use of nanoparticles suggests the need to study their adverse effects on biological systems. The present investigation explores in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant potential, and bioactivity of nano- and micro-particles such as zirconia (ZrO2) and titania (TiO2) on biological systems such as National Institute of Health (NIH) 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts cell line, di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) iminoazanium (DPPH) and simulated body fluid (SBF). The cell line viability % indicated that nano ZrO2 and TiO2 were less toxic than microparticles up to 200 µg ml−1. DPPH assay revealed that the free radical scavenging potential of tested particles were higher for nano ZrO2 (76.9%) and nano TiO2 (73.3%) at 100 mg than that for micron size particles. Calcium deposition percentage of micro- and nano-ZrO2 particles, after SBF study, showed 0.066% and 0.094% respectively, whereas for micro- and nano-TiO2, it was 0.251% and 0.615% respectively. FTIR results showed a good bioactivity through hydroxyapatite formation. The present investigation clearly shows that nanoparticles possess good antioxidant potential and better biocompatibility under in vitro conditions which are dose and size dependent. Hence, cytotoxicity itself is not promising evaluation method for toxicity rather than particles individual characterisation using antioxidant and bioactivity analysis.