Quercetin-Loaded Ceria Nanoparticles Induce Autophagy Blockage in Hepatoma Cells / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

ABSTRACT

The biosafety of rare earth oxide nanomaterials has attracted more and more attention, and the autophagy response induced by such nanomaterials is also of great significance for cancer treatment. Autophagy plays a dual role in cell survival and death. Quercetin can promote autophagy, and rare earth oxides have been shown to induce different types of autophagy. Dextran-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles-loaded quercetin composite DCQ was synthesized, characterized, and studied for its effects on cell viability, oxidative damage, autophagy and apoptosis in human hepatoma cells HepG2. The results showed that the composite material was more toxic to HepG2 cells, and had no obvious toxic effect on normal cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The composite material was found to induce production of reactive oxygen, block autophagy and promote apoptosis of HepG2 cells. This result shows that this nanocomposite can effectively kill human liver cancer cells, which may provide a new strategy for liver cancer treatment.