Anti-inflammatory and Cytotoxic Effect of Arrow Root Mediated Selenium Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles serve to reduce toxicity, enhance bioactivity and improve targeting. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are explored because of it’s unique characteristics and various known therapeutic benefits such as antioxidants activities and reducing risk of cancer. In this study, arrow root which is a starch obtained from tapioca or cassava is mediated with SeNPs and studied for it’s anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic effect. The plant extract of arrow root was prepared and mixed with the sodium selenite solution. The solution is kept in a magnetic stirrer while being observed for any colour change. The synthesis of nanoparticles is observed using UV-vis spectrophotometry. Then the anti-inflammatory activity is observed using albumin denaturation assay and cytotoxic analysis conducted on brine shrimp nauplii. The results showed that there was a lower toxicity rate of SeNPs and significant anti-inflammatory activity which concludes that these nanoparticles can be used in various drug designing aspects in future.