# Selenium-modified graphene oxide: A tri-dimensional study of its cytotoxicity and developmental effects

## TL;DR

This study examines the safety of selenium-modified graphene oxide, finding it can harm cells and zebrafish embryos at certain doses.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel tri-dimensional approach combining cell, animal, and theoretical models to assess GO-Se toxicity.

## Key findings

- GO-Se reduced human cell viability with an IC50 of 274.6 μg/mL at 24 hours.
- Zebrafish embryos showed heart dysfunction and oxidative stress at ≥100 μg/mL GO-Se.
- DFT calculations confirmed GO-Se's electron-accepting properties linked to toxicity.

## Abstract

Graphene oxide functionalized with selenium (GO-Se) has emerged as a promising nanomaterial due to selenium's antioxidant and redox-regulating properties, yet its safety profile remains unclear. The present study systematically investigated the cytotoxic, oxidative, and developmental effects of GO-Se using normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) cells, zebrafish embryos and complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations. GO-Se induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in NHDF cell viability (IC50 = 274.6 μg mL−1 at 24 h), associated with oxidative stress modulation and apoptosis. Zebrafish models revealed concentration-dependent cardiac dysfunction, developmental abnormalities, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels at ≥100 μg mL−1. DFT analyses supported these findings by showing strong electron-accepting properties of GO-Se. Overall, the study highlights both the biomedical potential and the safety concerns of GO-Se, underlining the need for further investigations into its applicability.

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•Selenium-modified graphene oxide (GO-Se, 100 nm) was synthesized as a novel nanomaterial.•GO-Se reduced NHDF cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 274.6 μg mL-1, 24 h).•Mechanistic assays revealed oxidative stress and apoptosis as key cytotoxic triggers.•Zebrafish embryos exhibited toxic responses, including heart dysfunction and oxidative stress, at higher (≥100 μg mL−1) GO-Se concentrations.•DFT calculations supported experimental findings and elucidated GO-Se toxicity mechanism.

Selenium-modified graphene oxide (GO-Se, 100 nm) was synthesized as a novel nanomaterial.

GO-Se reduced NHDF cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 274.6 μg mL-1, 24 h).

Mechanistic assays revealed oxidative stress and apoptosis as key cytotoxic triggers.

Zebrafish embryos exhibited toxic responses, including heart dysfunction and oxidative stress, at higher (≥100 μg mL−1) GO-Se concentrations.

DFT calculations supported experimental findings and elucidated GO-Se toxicity mechanism.