Cytotoxicity Effect of Iron Oxide (Fe(3)O(4))/Graphene Oxide (GO) Nanosheets in Cultured HBE Cells

Iron oxide (Fe(3)O(4)), a classical magnetic material, has been widely utilized in the field of biological magnetic resonance imaging Graphene oxide (GO) has also been extensively applied as a drug carrier due to its high specific surface area and other properties. Recently, numerous studies have synthesized Fe(3)O(4)/GO nanomaterials for biological diagnosis and treatments, including photothermal therapy and magnetic thermal therapy. However, the biosafety of the synthesized Fe(3)O(4)/GO nanomaterials still needs to be further identified. Therefore, this research intended to ascertain the cytotoxicity of Fe(3)O(4)/GO after treatment with different conditions in HBE cells. The results indicated the time-dependent and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity of Fe(3)O(4)/GO. Meanwhile, exposure to Fe(3)O(4)/GO nanomaterials increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, calcium ions levels, and oxidative stress in mitochondria produced by these nanomaterials activated Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, ultimately leading to cell apoptosis.