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Zinc oxide nanoparticles have become one of the most popular metal oxide nanoparticles and recently emerged as a promising potential candidate in the fields of optical, electrical, food packaging, and biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and low cost. They have a role in cell apoptosis, as they trigger excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and release zinc ions (Zn2+) that induce cell death.
ZnO nanoparticles have been shown to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in certain settings. Elevated ROS levels can induce oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage and apoptosis.
Experimental data suggest that exposure to ZnO nanoparticles can trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) via mitochondrial pathways or caspase activation in some cancer cell lines.
Additional reports indicate that ZnO may cause cell cycle arrest in specific phases, contributing to its antiproliferative effects.
Studies have shown that ZnO nanoparticles can modulate various signaling pathways related to cellular stress and survival, including MAPK, NF-κB, and PI3K/AKT pathways.