Carboxylic group-induced synthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles and its anti-tumor potential on Dalton's lymphoma cells.

Carboxylic group-induced synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was achieved using sodium selenosulphate as a precursor. The particles were stabilized and capped with 0.01% polyvinyl alcohol under ambient conditions. This is a simple and easy method of producing SeNPs in a size range from 35 to 105 nm. The synthesized SeNPs were purified by centrifugation at 11,500 × g for 20 min and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, DSC and TEM. It was observed that the synthesized SeNPs showed differences in their absorption spectra, phase composition and crystal structure, thermodynamic behaviour, size and shape. Further, to confirm anti-tumour potential of the synthesized SeNPs induced by the carboxylic group of acetic acid, pyruvic acid and benzoic acid, cell viability assay, nuclear morphology testing and DNA fragmentation assay were carried out using Dalton's lymphoma (DL) cells. DL cells treated with the SeNPs showed reduced cell viability, altered nuclear morphology, typical apoptotic DNA ladder and apoptosis. Therefore, these SeNPs may have therapeutic relevance to treat this type of cancer.