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Selenium NanoParticles| Category | Role in cancer | | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Sodium Selenium (selenite) | Direct cytotoxic redox poison | | Selenium (organic / nutritional) | **Redox buffer & immune modulator** (generally *anti-therapy* when oxidative stress is desired) | | SeNPs | Tunable redox-signaling anticancer platform |The introduction of borneol led to a significant reduction in the size of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), as documented in the study (Prabhakaret et al., 2013). In the chemical synthesis of selenium nanoparticles, a precursor such as sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) is dissolved in water to form a homogenous solution. A reducing agent, like ascorbic acid or sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), is then added to the solution. The reducing agent donates electrons to the selenium ions (SeO32−SeO32), reducing them to elemental selenium (Se0Se^0). This reduction process leads to the nucleation of selenium atoms, which subsequently grow into nanoparticles through controlled aggregation. Se NPs might be hepatoprotective. (chemoprotective) (radioprotective) (radiosensitizer)
Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are a biocompatible, less-toxic,
and more controllable form of selenium compared to inorganic salts (like sodium selenite).
Major SeNPs hepatoprotective mechanisms
Mechanism Description Key markers affected
1. Antioxidant activity SeNPs boost antioxidant enzyme ↓ ROS, ↓ MDA, ↑ GSH, ↑ GPx
systems (GPx, SOD, CAT) and scavenge
ROS directly.
2. Anti-inflammatory effect Downregulate NF-κB, TNF-α, ↓ TNF-α, ↓ IL-1β, ↓ IL-6
IL-6, and COX-2 pathways.
3. Anti-apoptotic action Balance between Bcl-2/Bax and reduce ↑ Bcl-2, ↓ Bax, ↓ Caspase-3
caspase-3 activation in hepatocytes.
4. Metal/toxin chelation SeNPs can bind or transform toxic ↓ liver metal accumulation
metals (Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, As³⁺)
into less harmful complexes.
5. Mitochondrial protection Maintain membrane potential, Preserved ΔΨm, ↑ ATP
prevent mitochondrial ROS burst,
and ATP loss.
6. Regeneration support Stimulate hepatocyte proliferation ↑ PCNA, improved histology
and repair via redox signaling
and selenoproteins.
Comparison: SeNPs vs. Sodium Selenite
Property SeNPs Sodium Selenite
Toxicity Low Moderate–high
Bioavailability Controlled, often slow- Rapid, less controllable
release
ROS balance Adaptive, mild antioxidant Can flip to pro-oxidant easily
Safety margin Wide Narrow
Hepatoprotection Strong, sustained Protective at low dose,
toxic at high dose
Form of SeNPs matter:1. Core composition / capping agent: SeNPs can be stabilized with polysaccharides, proteins, or small molecules. Some stabilizers may interact with cellular redox systems differently—e.g., a protein-capped SeNP may have slower release and less ROS generation, whereas a bare SeNP might induce stronger ROS in cancer cells. 2. Particle size: Smaller SeNPs (<50 nm) tend to generate more ROS and may enhance anticancer activity, but could theoretically interfere with ROS-dependent chemo if administered simultaneously. Larger SeNPs are slower-acting and may be safer alongside chemo. 3. Surface charge / coating: Positively charged or functionalized SeNPs can preferentially enter tumor cells, whereas neutral or negatively charged forms may distribute more evenly. This affects both selective cytotoxicity and interaction with normal cells. "30 mg of Na2SeO3.5H2O was added to 90 mL of Milli-Q water. Ascorbic acid (10 mL, 56.7 mM) was added dropwise to sodium selenite solution with vigorous stirring. 10 µL of polysorbate were added after each 2 ml of ascorbic acid. Selenium nanoparticles were formed after the addition of ascorbic acid. This can be visualized by a color change of the reactant solution from clear white to clear red. All solutions were made in a sterile environment by using a sterile cabinet and double distilled water." SeNPs Cancer relevant pathways
Selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)Overview: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are being investigated in Alzheimer’s disease primarily as a multifunctional neuroprotective nanoplatform rather than as a conventional nutrient supplement. In AD-oriented studies, SeNPs are used for one or more of the following: (1) direct inhibition of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, (2) reduction of oxidative stress, (3) lowering of neuroinflammation, (4) improved blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport via targeting ligands, and/or (5) delivery or stabilization of partner compounds with poor brain availability. Current support is mainly from cell studies and rodent AD models, so the evidence is still experimental/preclinical, not established clinical therapy.
Mechanistic Summary
Overall Modulation Direction in AD
Evidence LevelPreclinical. The AD literature for SeNPs is mainly cell culture and rodent-model work. Formulation-specific effects are important; benefits shown for one coated or ligand-targeted SeNP system should not automatically be generalized to all selenium nanoparticles or to ordinary selenium supplementation. Notes / Interpretation
SeNP-Associated Products / Components Used in AD-Oriented Nanoformulations
Bottom LineFor AD, selenium nanoparticles appear most relevant as a multi-target anti-amyloid / antioxidant nanocarrier platform. Their strongest support is for reducing Aβ aggregation and oxidative-neuroinflammatory injury while improving delivery of partner neuroprotective compounds. At present, this is a research-stage strategy, not a validated clinical AD treatment. |
| Source: TCGA |
| Type: Antiapoptotic |
| Nrf2 is responsible for regulating an extensive panel of antioxidant enzymes involved in the detoxification and elimination of oxidative stress. Thought of as "Master Regulator" of antioxidant response. -One way to estimate Nrf2 induction is through the expression of NQO1. NQO1, the most potent inducer: SFN 0.2 μM, quercetin (2.5 μM), curcumin (2.7 μM), Silymarin (3.6 μM), tamoxifen (5.9 μM), genistein (6.2 μM ), beta-carotene (7.2μM), lutein (17 μM), resveratrol (21 μM), indol-3-carbinol (50 μM), chlorophyll (250 μM), alpha-cryptoxanthin (1.8 mM), and zeaxanthin (2.2 mM) 1. Raising Nrf2 enhances the cell's antioxidant defenses and ↓ROS. This strategy is used to decrease chemo-radio side effects. 2. Downregulating Nrf2 lowers antioxidant defenses and ↑ROS. In cancer cells this leads to DNA damage, and cell death. 3. However there are some cases where increasing Nrf2 paradoxically causes an increase in ROS (cancer cells). Such as cases of Mitochondial overload, signal crosstalk, reductive stress -In some cases, Nrf2 is overexpressed in cancer cells, which can lead to the activation of genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This can contribute to the development of resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies. -Increased Nrf2 expression: Lung, Breast, Colorectal, Prostrate. Decreased Nrf2 expression: Skine, Liver, Pancreatic. -Nrf2 is a cytoprotective transcription factor which demonstrated both a negative effect as well as a positive effect on cancer - "promotes Nrf2 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus," means facilitates the movement of Nrf2 into the nucleus, thereby enhancing the cell's antioxidant and cytoprotective responses. -Major regulator of Nrf2 activity in cells is the cytosolic inhibitor Keap1. Nrf2 Inhibitors and Activators Nrf2 Inhibitors: Brusatol, Luteolin, Trigonelline, VitC, Retinoic acid, Chrysin Nrf2 Activators: SFN, OPZ EGCG, Resveratrol, DATS, CUR, CDDO, Api - potent Nrf2 inducers from plants include sulforaphane, curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, wasabi, cafestol and kahweol (coffee), cinnamon, ginger, garlic, lycopene, rosemany Nrf2 plays dual roles in that it can protect normal tissues against oxidative damage and can act as an oncogenic protein in tumor tissue. – In healthy tissues, NRF2 activation helps protect cells from oxidative damage and maintains cellular homeostasis. – In many cancers, constitutive activation of NRF2 (often through mutations in NRF2 itself or loss-of-function mutations in KEAP1) leads to an enhanced antioxidant capacity. – This upregulation can promote tumor cell survival by enabling cancer cells to thrive under oxidative stress, resist chemotherapeutic agents, and sustain metabolic reprogramming. – Elevated NRF2 levels have been implicated in promoting tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy in various malignancies. – High or sustained NRF2 activity is frequently associated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, poorer prognosis, and decreased overall survival in several cancer types. – While its activation is essential for protecting normal cells from oxidative stress, aberrant or sustained NRF2 activation in tumor cells can lead to enhanced survival, therapeutic resistance, and tumor progression. NRF2 inhibitors: (to decrease antioxidant defenses and increase cell death from ROS). -Brusatol: most cited natural inhibitors of Nrf2. -Luteolin: luteolin can reduce Nrf2 activity in specific cancer models and may enhance cell sensitivity to chemotherapy. However, luteolin is also known as an antioxidant, and its influence on Nrf2 can sometimes be context dependent. -Apigenin: certain studies to down‑regulate Nrf2 in cancer cells: Dose and context dependent . -Oridonin: -Wogonin: although its effects might be cell‑ and dose‑specific. - Withaferin A |
| 4734- | SeNPs, | CPT-11, | Cytotoxicity and therapeutic effect of irinotecan combined with selenium nanoparticles |
| - | in-vitro, | CRC, | HCT8 | - | in-vivo, | NA, | NA |
| 3406- | TQ, | SeNPs, | A study to determine the effect of nano-selenium and thymoquinone on the Nrf2 gene expression in Alzheimer’s disease |
| - | in-vivo, | AD, | NA |
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers. Such Conditions may include : -low or high Dose -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations -different cell line effects -synergies with other products -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
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