Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of iron oxide nanopowders synthesized by radiation-chemical method using different precursors.

The study revealed a correlation between the cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of iron oxide nanopowders produced by the radiation-chemical method and the choice of precursors (iron (III) nitrate or iron(II) sulfate), and the temperature of pre-annealing of the synthesized product, and also irradiation with accelerated electrons. Notably, high and lowabnormal cytotoxicity of aqueous suspensions of samples S300 and S400, respectively, annealed at temperatures of 300 and 400 °C, was observed for the first time at all concentrations (0.1–1.0 ml/mg). The likely cause of this abnormal cytotoxicity was identified as alterations in the textural and structural properties of NP after annealing.Furthermore, a significant impact of electron beam irradiation on the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of both unannealed and annealed iron oxide NP was discovered with irradiated samples exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to non-irradiated ones. Additionally, the deposition of nanosilver on the surface of iron oxide powders was found to significantly influence their biological properties, with the survival of Vero cell cultures being dependent on the composite concentration in the aqueous suspension. A study of the oxidative stress of composites based on iron oxides coated with silver showed that they significantly increased cell viability, and at a concentration of 1 mg/ml provided complete mitigation of oxidative stress in cells. • The cytotoxicity of iron oxide nanopowders is dependent on electron irradiation. • The sample of iron oxide annealed at 400 °C showed an unusually high level of cytotoxicity. • Cytotoxicity of iron oxide nanopowders may depend on silver coating. • Silver coating on iron oxide has a compensatory effect on oxidative stress in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]