An overview of the applications of selenium nanoparticles in the biological sciences

In recent decades with the advent of nanotechnology, use of nanoparticles has been increased due to increased bioavailability, improved targeted treatment, and reduced toxicity. Selenium is a trace essential element in bodies of humans and animals. This element is found in the structure of numerous enzymes playing various roles in the body of organisms. Under different conditions, several effects have been reported for selenium nanoparticles, the main objective of this study was to evaluate different researches related to using selenium nanoparticles as anti-cancer, stem cell differentiation, wound healing, and dis-infection agent, also nutrition and reproduction performances.

In this study, we present a summary of studies on the effects of selenium nanoparticles in various conditions, including differentiation, anti-cancer, anti-infective and wound healing effects, also nutritional and reproductive performances.

Different forms of selenium have been used in various studies. However, in most studies, selenium nanoparticles show less toxicity than its salt forms (Sodium Selenate, Sodium Selenite, Selenium Dioxide and Selenous Acid). Positive effects have been observed in inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells and wound infection, improving nutritional and reproduction performances.

It seems that due to the lower toxicity and greater bio-availability of selenium nanoparticles, it can be used instead of its salt forms.