Single-walled carbon nanotube, multi-walled carbon nanotube and Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles induced mitochondria mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells.

PURPOSE: Nanomaterials (NM) exhibit novel anticancer properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The toxicity of three nanoparticles that are currently being produced in high tonnage including single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Fe2 O3 nanoparticles, were compared with normal and melanoma cells.

RESULTS: All tested nanoparticles induced selective toxicity and caspase 3 activation through mitochondria pathway in melanoma cells and mitochondria cause the generating of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential decline (MMP collapse), mitochondria swelling, and cytochrome c release. The pretreatment of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a cell-permeable antioxidant and cyclosporine A (Cs. A), a mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), pore sealing agent decreased cytotoxicity, caspase 3 activation, ROS generation, and mitochondrial damages induced by SWCNT, MWCNT, and IONPs.

CONCLUSIONS: Our promising results provide a potential approach for the future therapeutic use of SWCNT, MWCNT, and IONPs in melanoma through mitochondrial targeting.