200
B. Boro et al.
1 Introduction
Nanoparticle research is a fascinating branch of science dealing with nanoscale level
of materials at the dimension less than 100 nm (Yeh et al. 2012). Nanoparticles
have gained a broad interest in recent years because of their distinctive physical
and chemical properties such as mechanical stability, higher damping property, and
high strength with good thermal conductivity (Gary and Luan 2001). Magnesium
oxide (MgO) is a homomorphous chemical structure with rock salt structure (FCC),
the Mg
2+ occupies the octahedral sites within the anion closed packed structure,
and its ionic constituents comprise a relatively small number of electrons. It has
simple crystal arrangement and ideal ionicity, which leads MgO to form stunning
foundation for the construction of efficient nanostructures (Wahab et al. 2007). Due to
the high thermal, high surface reactivity and high chemical stability with the catalytic
properties, the magnesium oxide nanoparticles make it a promising material for the
application in therapeutic strategies like antibacterial, antithrombotic properties, etc.
(Basit et al. 1998; Richard et al. 2000; Schram and Stehouwer 2005). Biodegradable
and low-toxicity MgO NPs express highly desirable properties for cancer labeling
(Di et al. 2012). Studies reveal that nanoparticles are having altered size, shape, and
surface chemistry in comparison to that of parent compound. Moreover, among the
metal oxide nanoparticles, MgO is particularly remarkable as an eco-friendly and
cheapest material for large-scale use (Kumaran et al. 2015). In the present study,
cytotoxicological effect of MgO nanoparticles was aimed to be evaluated in vitro in
erythrocytes as it is the first line of interacting cells in the body system for accessing
the sensitivity of external exposure. In the blood circulatory system, erythrocytes are
abundantly present and due to its properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability,
and long circulating half-life, the erythrocytes are broadly used as a biomarker for
any foreign stimuli in the body system. In this paper, synthesis and characterization
of MgO nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effects on erythrocytes are documented.
This study will confirm the usability of MgO nanoparticle in further studies where
animals including human being may come in contact with the MgO nanoparticles.
Functionalization of MgO may be required for its enhanced usability.
2 Materials and Method
2.1 Synthesis and Characterization of MgO NPs
Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were synthesized using magnesium nitrate
(MgNO 3 ·6H 2 O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as precursor compound as described
by Wahab et al. (2007) with some modifications. Briefly, 100 ml of 0.2 M magnesium nitrate was vigorously stirred in a magnetic stirrer at temperature of 60 °C
for 4 h and 0.5 M of NaOH solution was slowly added dropwise to the magnesium
nitrate solution until the pH of the solution reaches 12. Temperature, concentration
B. Boro et al.
1 Introduction
Nanoparticle research is a fascinating branch of science dealing with nanoscale level
of materials at the dimension less than 100 nm (Yeh et al. 2012). Nanoparticles
have gained a broad interest in recent years because of their distinctive physical
and chemical properties such as mechanical stability, higher damping property, and
high strength with good thermal conductivity (Gary and Luan 2001). Magnesium
oxide (MgO) is a homomorphous chemical structure with rock salt structure (FCC),
the Mg
2+ occupies the octahedral sites within the anion closed packed structure,
and its ionic constituents comprise a relatively small number of electrons. It has
simple crystal arrangement and ideal ionicity, which leads MgO to form stunning
foundation for the construction of efficient nanostructures (Wahab et al. 2007). Due to
the high thermal, high surface reactivity and high chemical stability with the catalytic
properties, the magnesium oxide nanoparticles make it a promising material for the
application in therapeutic strategies like antibacterial, antithrombotic properties, etc.
(Basit et al. 1998; Richard et al. 2000; Schram and Stehouwer 2005). Biodegradable
and low-toxicity MgO NPs express highly desirable properties for cancer labeling
(Di et al. 2012). Studies reveal that nanoparticles are having altered size, shape, and
surface chemistry in comparison to that of parent compound. Moreover, among the
metal oxide nanoparticles, MgO is particularly remarkable as an eco-friendly and
cheapest material for large-scale use (Kumaran et al. 2015). In the present study,
cytotoxicological effect of MgO nanoparticles was aimed to be evaluated in vitro in
erythrocytes as it is the first line of interacting cells in the body system for accessing
the sensitivity of external exposure. In the blood circulatory system, erythrocytes are
abundantly present and due to its properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability,
and long circulating half-life, the erythrocytes are broadly used as a biomarker for
any foreign stimuli in the body system. In this paper, synthesis and characterization
of MgO nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effects on erythrocytes are documented.
This study will confirm the usability of MgO nanoparticle in further studies where
animals including human being may come in contact with the MgO nanoparticles.
Functionalization of MgO may be required for its enhanced usability.
2 Materials and Method
2.1 Synthesis and Characterization of MgO NPs
Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were synthesized using magnesium nitrate
(MgNO 3 ·6H 2 O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as precursor compound as described
by Wahab et al. (2007) with some modifications. Briefly, 100 ml of 0.2 M magnesium nitrate was vigorously stirred in a magnetic stirrer at temperature of 60 °C
for 4 h and 0.5 M of NaOH solution was slowly added dropwise to the magnesium
nitrate solution until the pH of the solution reaches 12. Temperature, concentration