https://nano-ntp.com/index.php/nano/article/view/2509

Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the creation of a nanoparticulate form of selenium (Se) that exhibits versatility in its applications across various functional domains. Se is a crucial micronutrient that plays a critical role in the survival of all mammals and participates in the optimal functioning of human physiological functions. The available empirical evidence indicates that Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) possess significant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This paper presents the production of SeNPs using Cinnamomum verum extract, with a focus on their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and toxicological properties. The antioxidant effectiveness of SeNPs was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), nitric oxide, and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. The results demonstrate that SeNPs exhibit significant ascorbic acid-based free radical scavenging activity. The effectiveness of SeNPs against prevalent pathogens was evaluated. The SeNPs demonstrated significant microbial efficacy using, time-kill curve analysis and protein leakage analysis methods, which exhibit concentration-dependent suppression of microbial proliferation, rendering them highly promising as antimicrobial therapeutics. Furthermore, the toxicological impacts of SeNPs were examined in zebrafish embryos as a model organism. Variations in SeNPs levels were administered, and their effects on embryonic development were monitored longitudinally. The findings of this study demonstrated a response to dosage, whereby higher concentrations resulted in elevated mortality rates and developmental defects in zebrafish embryos. The toxicological assessment highlights the importance of precise dosage calculation in the context of potential biomedical applications, despite their benefits. This study emphasized the potential of SeNPs as eco-friendly antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. However, this underscores the need for further investigation into their safety profile, particularly in the context of biological applications.