Chemically synthesized CdSe quantum dots induce apoptosis in AGS gastric cancer cells <i>via</i> ROS generation

CdSe quantum dots (QDs) with size in the range of 3.5-5.8 nm and a zinc blende (ZB) crystal structure were synthesized by the wet chemical method. The morphology of the synthesized QDs was assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structural and optical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), absorption spectroscopy (Abs) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The anti-cancer activity of CdSe QDs was investigated on AGS gastric cancer cells through cell viability screening (MTT assay), cell cycle and apoptosis analysis using flow cytometry. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed using the cell fluorescence staining method with H2DCFDA. Three QD series of CdSe1 (3.5 nm), CdSe2 (4.7 nm) and CdSe3 (5.8 nm) have been selected to study their effects on the extermination of stomach cancer cells. The CdSe QDs all exhibited the potential to induce toxicity to cells at concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 μg mL^-1. CdSe2 demonstrated a significant impact on cell proliferation compared to the CdSe1 and CdSe3 forms (<i>p</i> < 0.01). CdSe QDs caused cell cycle arrest, leading to the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase, while also increasing the rate of apoptosis compared to the control (<i>p</i> < 0.01). More importantly, it has been demonstrated that CdSe QDs promote excessive production of ROS in AGS cells, which is believed to be the cause of apoptosis and the reduction of cell proliferation. These data suggest that CdSe QDs are a good candidate for combating gastric cancer cells.