NANO-ZnO-ERYTHROCYTE DUET INTERPLAY: UNRAVELING THE MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF ZINC NANOPARTICLES IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTE TOXICITY

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) finds attractive applications in different fields of biomedicine, environment, and cosmetics. They have shown potential interactions with blood cells, particularly erythrocytes, raising concerns about potential adverse effects. This study delves into the intricate interplay between nano-sized zinc oxide (Nano-ZnO) particles and human erythrocytes, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing red blood cell toxicity response. After incubation of human erythrocytes with different concentrations of ZnO-NPs (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml) for six hours, hemolytic activity, oxidative stress, and morphological alterations were determined. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic simulations were applied to prove any potential intermolecular interactions and binding affinity of ZnONPs for erythrocyte membrane proteins. Our results demonstrate that zinc oxide nanoparticles caused hemolytic effects through formation of ROS, cell membrane distortions leading so toward eryptosis. Combination of in vitro exposure assays with in silico docking simulations offers valuable insights for better understanding the implications of Nano-ZnO exposure on erythrocyte function.