Preparation, physicochemical characterization, and anti-proliferation of selenium nanoparticles stabilized by Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), a novel selenium form, have attracted worldwide attention due to their bioactivities and low toxicity. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical characterization, storage stability, and anti-proliferative activities of SeNPs stabilized by Polyporus umbellatus polysaccharide (PUP). Results showed that orange-red, zero-valent, amorphous and spherical SeNPs with mean diameter of approximately 82.5 nm were successfully prepared by using PUP as a capping agent. PUP-SeNPs solution stored at 4 °C in dark condition could be stable for at least 84 days. Moreover, PUP-SeNPs treatment inhibited four cancer cell lines proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, while no significant cytotoxicity towards three normal cell lines was observed. Comparing with the other cancer cell lines (HepG2, Hela, and HT29), PUP-SeNPs displayed the most sensitive towards MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 value of 6.27 μM. Furthermore, PUP-SeNPs significantly up-regulated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, promoted cytochrome c release, increased caspase-9, -8 and -3 activities, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, suggesting that mitochondria-mediated and death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathways were activated in MDA-MB-231 cells. Besides, PUP-SeNPs possessed better anti-proliferative activity than selenomethionine as well as lower cytotoxicity than sodium selenite. Taken together, PUP-SeNPs have strong potential as a dietary supplement for application in cancer chemoprevention, especially breast cancer.