Nanoceria: Synthesis and biomedical applications

Abstract

Cerium oxide or ceria is an inorganic compound of Cerium, a rare earth element of lanthanide series. Due to the unique ability of cerium to switch oxidation states between +3 and +4 it has various applications as ultraviolet light absorbers, catalytic converters for automobile exhaust systems, solar cells, optics, oxygen sensors and other commercial and biomedical applications. Cerium oxide nanoparticles popularly known as nanoceria are efficient free radical scavengers and are considered as a potent therapeutic option for the treatment of ROS mediated disorders like neurodegenerative disorders, retinal disorders, cancer and can also act as a potent drug delivery agent. Engineered nanoparticles have the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and treatment of many diseases which require the synthesis of nanoceria with biocompatibility so as to enhance its therapeutic potential without inducing any cytotoxicity. Here we review the various methods for synthesis of nanoceria for biomedical applications and we discuss the challenges to realize the potential of nanoceria in therapeutics.