Effects of quercetin-immobilized albumin cerium oxide nanoparticles on glutamate toxicity: in vitro study

One aspect of glutamate (Glut) toxicity may be the opening of the blood-brain barrier to albumin (Al), which in itself can cause nerve cell death. Quercetin (Q) is a polyphenolic substance and has a neuroprotective effect. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (Ce₂O₃NPs) are highly interested in biological applications due to their antioxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of Q-immobilized Al+Ce₂O₃NPs in Glut-induced neurotoxicity, mainly focusing on cell viability and neurobiochemical changes. Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of Q-immobilized Al+Ce₂O₃NPs were performed. After preparing the primary neuron culture, it was exposed to Glut to induce neurotoxicity. Then, various doses of Ce₂O₃NP, Al+Ce₂O₃NP, and Q+Al+Ce₂O₃NPs (1, 5, 10, and 25 µg/ml) were applied to the wells and incubated for 24 h. Then, cell viability was determined by MTT analysis. Additionally, oxidative stress parameters were measured. When the obtained data were examined, it was shown that cell viability decreased with Glut concentration but significantly increased with Q+Al+Ce₂O₃NPs treatment. When oxidative stress markers were considered, Glut treatment increased LDH, AChE, and TOS levels, while TAC and GSH levels decreased. However, the trend changed after Q+Al+Ce₂O₃NPs treatment, suggesting that damaged neurons were protected against oxidative stress. The results of this study indicate that Q+Al+Ce₂O₃NP can ameliorate Glut-induced neurotoxicity, especially when used at a dose of 25 µg/ml.