Effectiveness of Fe2O3 nanoparticles more than magnetic field against the destructive effect of colchicine on Paramecium caudatum

Colchicine depolymerizes microtubules and reduces their diamagnetic capacity. We investigated the effect of a static magnetic field (SMF) and the Fe2O3 NPs on the Paramecium caudatum exposed to colchicine. The samples were collected from temporary water sources and after identifying the species, were cultured in the laboratory. They were also sub-cultured at regular intervals (7-10 days) for purification. From pure culture, several samples were placed in the laboratory or under SMF with an intensity of 61 mT for 3 days. To evaluate the effect of materials in comparison with distilled water (control), a sample (0.1 ml) of each medium was placed on a slide and exposed to 1 μl of distilled water or volume-concentrations of colchicine (0.05 to 25 μg/μl) or Fe2O3 NPs (0.05 to 3 μg/μl). The effect of different concentrations of Fe2O3 NPs in accompany with the field was also investigated. The movement of the animal was examined for 30 sec under a constant view and the sample was fixed for staining and study at the cellular level. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Colchicine at high concentrations (15 and 25 μg/μl) significantly reduced the motility of Paramecium caudatum. Magnetic field, but not NPs, alone reduced cell motility. Co-exposure to particles completely improved cell motility due to exposure to colchicine, however, in animals initially housed in the magnetic field, the healing effect of the particles was impaired. The protective effects of NPs may depend on the diamagnetic capacity of the microtubule.