tbzmedTabriz University of Medical SciencesAPBAdvanced Pharmaceutical BulletinReview ArticleAdvanced Pharmaceutical BulletinA Review of Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Toxicity of NanoparticlesMechanisms of Nanoparticle ToxicityKhalili FardJavadTabriz University of Medical Science, Toxicology & PharmacologyJafariSamira, EghbalMohammad Ali , 1120153011201554422015Tabriz University of Medical Sciences2015A Review of Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Toxicity of Nanoparticles

In recent decades, the use of nanomaterials has received much attention in industrial and medical fields. However, some reports have mentioned adverse effects of these materials on the biological systems and cellular components. There are several major mechanisms for cytotoxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) such as physicochemical properties, contamination with toxic element, fibrous structure, high surface charge and radical species generation. In this review, a brief key mechanisms involved in toxic effect of NPs are given, followed by the in vitro toxicity assays of NPs and prooxidant effects of several NPs such as carbon nanotubes, titanium dioxide NPs, quantum dots, gold NPs and silver NPs.