Sulforaphane effect on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses on healthy lung cells treated graphene oxide nanoparticles

• Graphene oxide was synthesized from graphite at 50 and 400 nm. • The graphene oxide decreased the T-SOD activity independently of size and concentration when compared with that of the control group without GO. However, both 50 and 400 nm sized-graphene oxides gradually increased the T-SOD activities even at above IC 50 concentration where the cell death occurred. • The cell may undergo a necrotic stage due to the higher size of the graphene oxide. The IL-6 level decreased after above the IC 50 value of G50. • It can be said that the cytotoxic effects of 50 and 400 nm-sized graphene oxides may be eliminated by SF . • SF stimulated the antioxidant defense mechanism against both 50 nm and 400 nm sized-graphene oxides. This study aimed to determine the effects of graphene oxide nanomaterial, used in many areas of life, such as the cleansing of harmful substances such as reactive oxygene species from the body or living organisms. The phytochemicals produced from plants provide resistance to oxidative stress. The healthy lung cell line BEAS-2B was chosen for this study. To measure the effectiveness of graphene oxide and its derivatives, which can be found in every area of life, healthy lungs were chosen as the guide would see. In this study, graphene oxide nanoparticles were synthesized from graphites (50 and 400 nm) by activating nanoparticles’ surfaces by the Hummers method. SEM, TEM, Zeta Potential and FT-IR analysis were carried out for characterization of nanoparticles. IC 50 values were calculated separately for each graphene oxide nanoparticles (G50 and G400), and then the nanoparticles were applied to healthy lungs above, below and exactly at these values. Sulforaphane is a bioactive phytochemical that was chosen as the reference substance to determine the effect on Interleucin-6 (IL-6) level, Total Superoxide Dismutase (T-SOD), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities of G50 and G400-treated cells. At this point, sulforaphane (SF) showed strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties on lung cells.