Toxicity of nanostructures—a general approach

Abstract Due to their enhanced properties, such as their nanometric dimensions, increased surface area, excellent surface chemistry, and their possibility to be functionalized, the nanostructured materials are used in a wide variety of different domains including the biomedical one. In order to develop biomedical devices, all nanostructures must be toxicologically tested. Even though the results of these tests are controversial and contradictory, they are mandatory for the evaluation of nanomaterials’ interactions with the biological systems. This study contributed to a general picture of the toxicological responses that nanomaterials can generate. Besides the size and the concentration of nanoparticles, there are several factors that influence their cytotoxicity, such as aggregation state, shape, chemistry, biodistribution, etc. However, the toxic effects could be diminished by capping or coating the nanoparticles. Without any doubt, the nanotechnology area is a tremendous resource for research studies especially in view of the fact that it represents a reserve that provides nanomaterials with promising applications in biomedicine that still need to be exploited.