Resumen de Control and synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles for medical applications
Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are one of the most promising materials for future applications in medicine because of their interesting properties at nanoscale. CeO2 NPs have special attention due to their catalytic properties as antioxidant agent, being able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2, OH. , O2-. These free radicals when they are in excess generate alterations in metabolism, producing effects such as neurodegenerative diseases, hepatic damage, retinal illnesses and, of course, inflammation. Necessity to have a properly agent for facing oxidative stress make CeO2 NPs interesting from medical point of view.
However, CeO2 NPs also have the ability to act as oxidant elements in some cases. This fact is due to their high capacity to buffer electrons thanks to their unfilled 4f electronic structure, being reduced or oxidized in accordance with surroundings.
In literature there is much controversy about mechanism of action and catalytic activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles in biological systems, apart from their toxicity too. For that reason, a suitable synthesis of this material is necessary and studying their mechanism of reaction is also required to understand characteristics of these nanomaterials which will be essential for their future applications.
Characteristics of nanoceria produced have to be evaluated before their utilization because type of synthesis is responsible for properties of final product. In addition, it is also indispensable study activity of CeO2 NPs in biological media for being able to predict their behavior in those conditions.
In conclusion, synthesis of CeO2 NPs will be responsible for characteristics of material so, studying and developing this process will be essential for taking the maximum advantage of their desired properties from cerium oxide nanoparticles for future medical applications.
