Environmental Pollution and Cytotoxic Effects of Metallic Nanoparticles: Integrating Mechanistic Toxicology with Support Vector Regression-Based Predictive Modeling
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The prevalent application of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in various industries, biomedical sector, agricultural field, and products for consumers leads growing concerns regarding their environmental release and potential toxicological effects. Nanoparticles such as silver (Ag) NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs, Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) NPs, copper (Cu) NPs, & gold (Au) NPs possess unique physicochemical properties that enhance their functionality but also increase their environmental mobility and biological reactivity. Upon entering aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, these nanoparticles can accumulate and interact with living organisms, potentially disrupting ecological balance. Numerous studies have demonstrated that metallic nanoparticles induce cytotoxic effects through mechanisms including oxidative stress, membrane damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and DNA damage. In - vitro live cell-based assays have been extensively used to measure nanoparticle-induced toxicity. Understanding the environmental fate and cytotoxic mechanisms of metallic nanoparticles is crucial for developing safer nanomaterials and establishing effective regulatory strategies for environmental protection and public health.
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