PVA aerogel loaded with biogenic selenium nanoparticles: physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity assays

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Published: Feb 17, 2026
Updated: 2026-02-17
Versions:
2026-02-17 (5)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22201/ceiich.24485691e.2026.36.69872
Keywords:
aerogels, polyvinyl alcohol, selenium nanoparticles, cytotoxicity

Main Article Content

José A. Hernández-Díaz
Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C, Departmento de Biotecnología Médica Farmaceútica. Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
Ana A. Arias-García
Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Departamento de Biotecnología Médica Farmaceútica. Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
Soledad García-Morales
Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Departamento de Biotecnología Digital. Zapopan, Jalisco, México.
Zaira Y. García-Carvajal
Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Departamento de Biotecnología Médica Farmaceútica. Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
Moisés Martínez Velázquez
Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco A.C., Departamento de Biotecnología Digital. Zapopan, Jalisco, México
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8060-6832

Abstract

Currently, cervical cancer is considered one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide, highlighting the urgent need to develop therapeutic strategies that act in a combined, effective, and selective manner. In this context, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and nanocomposites (NCs) emerge as promising tools for designing drug delivery systems that enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of biogenically synthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Amphipterygium glaucum extract on HeLa cells (cervical cancer) cultured in 2D. The SeNPs exhibited a maximum absorption peak at 275 nm (UV-Vis), with an average size of 14 nm and a semi-spherical morphology as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These nanoparticles (NPs) were incorporated into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based aerogel with a molecular weight of 130,000 (SeNPs@PVA130), whose porous structure and selenium distribution were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) revealed interactions between the extract’s functional groups and selenium, suggesting their role as reducing and stabilizing agents. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect, with IC₅₀ values of 93.8 µg/mL for SeNPs and 4.5 µg/mL for SeNPs@PVA130. Furthermore, Annexin V-Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) staining indicated that early apoptosis was the predominant mechanism of cell death. The wound healing assay showed significant inhibition of cell migration. These findings support the potential of these nanomaterials as cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic agents. In the future, complementary studies in more complex systems should be considered to employ them as sustainable adjuvants alongside conventional chemotherapeutics. 

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How to Cite
Hernández-Díaz, J. A., Arias-García, A. A., García-Morales, S., García-Carvajal, Z. Y., & Martínez Velázquez, M. (2026). PVA aerogel loaded with biogenic selenium nanoparticles: physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity assays. Mundo Nano. Interdisciplinary Journal on Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, 19(36), e69872. https://doi.org/10.22201/ceiich.24485691e.2026.36.69872 (Original work published October 23, 2025)
Issue
Vol. 19 No. 36 (2026): 1er semestre / Nanotoxicología. Parte I / María del Carmen González Castillo y Karla Oyuky Juárez Moreno, editoras invitadas
Section
Research articles

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Mundo Nano. Revista Interdisciplinaria en Nanociencias y Nanotecnología por Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México se distribuye bajo una Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional.
Basada en una obra en http://www.mundonano.unam.mx.

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