Pulsed Laser Ablation Synthesis of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Enhanced Cytotoxicity on Ocular Melanoma Cells via Combined Femtosecond Laser Treatment

Abstract

The development of innovative nanomaterials has gained momentum in the biomedical field, particularly for therapeutic applications. The synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles was achieved using pulsed laser ablation (PLA) in liquid, offering a method to generate ultrapure nanoparticles with well-controlled size and morphology, eliminating the need for chemical precursors. Characterization via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) confirmed spherical nanoparticles, with average sizes ranging from 6.4 nm to 19.1 nm, determined by the length of the ablation process. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated using an MTT assay, where the A375 cells were treated with various concentrations of TiO₂ nanoparticles, both alone and in combination with femtosecond laser irradiation. The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in cytotoxicity when the cells were exposed to the combined treatment, compared to either treatment alone. This suggests that the synergistic effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles and femtosecond laser irradiation may provide a more effective therapeutic strategy for targeting ocular malignant melanoma cells. In addition, the antioxidant activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles was evaluated through the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, demonstrating mild antioxidant properties, which may contribute to their enhanced therapeutic potential. This report underscores the potential of pulsed laser ablation as a scalable method for producing biocompatible nanoparticles and highlights the promise of combining these nanoparticles with femtosecond laser treatment for the development of advanced cancer therapies.