Nanotoxicity of Natural Minerals: An Emerging Area of Nanotoxicology

Nanotoxicity of two natural minerals, talc and silica were evaluated in vitro studying their effects on cell viability, LDH leakage, LPO induction, ROS production, GSH depletion, modulation of GR and GPx activities. Both mineral particles mediated their toxicity through oxidative stress. Differently, silica nanoparticles showed insignificant effect on GSH depletion. Talc nanoparticles significantly enhanced transcription and translation of TNF-&alpha which was mediated by both ERK1/2 and P38. This aspect of study on silica nanoparticles is in progress.