Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Nanoparticles: Synthetic Strategies and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In recent times, there has been considerable interest among researchers in magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles, due to their excellent biocompatibility, stability, and diverse biomedical uses, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties, as well as tissue engineering, bioimaging, and drug delivery applications. Consequently, the escalating utilization of magnesium oxide nanoparticles in medical contexts necessitates the in-depth exploration of these nanoparticles. Notably, existing literature lacks a comprehensive review of magnesium oxide nanoparticles’ synthesis methods, detailed biomedical applications with mechanisms, and toxicity assessments. Thus, this review aims to bridge this gap by furnishing a comprehensive insight into various synthetic approaches for the development of MgO nanoparticles. Additionally, it elucidates their noteworthy biomedical applications as well as their potential mechanisms of action, alongside summarizing their toxicity profiles. This article also highlights challenges and future prospects for further exploring MgO nanoparticles in the biomedical field. Existing literature indicates that synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles demonstrate substantial biocompatibility and display significant antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Consequently, this review intends to enhance readers’ comprehension regarding recent advancements in synthesizing MgO nanoparticles through diverse approaches and their promising applications in biomedicine.

Recent Advances in Magnesium–Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticle Composites for Biomedical Applications

“…Bioactive glass is being developed for applications in surgery, dentistry, bacterial inhibition, bone repair, and tissue engineering. Due to their many properties, such as being antibacterial, anti-cancer, biocompatible, non-toxic, biodegradable, and low-cost, research results support the addition of MgO NPs to a variety of useful compounds [31][32][33]. In the Figure 2, a graphic of the uses of MgO for medical applications is shown.…”

Plant-Assisted Green Synthesis of MgO Nanoparticles as a Sustainable Material for Bone Regeneration: Spectroscopic Properties

“…The ability of MgONPs to dissolve, leading to the toxicity of free metal ions and reactive oxygen species (i.e., hydroxyl radicals (*OH), superoxide ions (O 2 *), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and hydroperoxyl radicals) and alkaline effect, is responsible for their antibacterial properties by causing oxidative stress [53][54][55][56]. A possible mechanism underlying the photocatalytic/antimicrobial effects of nanostructures has been described by Pavlatou and colleagues [55].…”

“…The application of MgO nanoparticles depends on their morphology, size, shape, and crystalline structure, which affect their surface area, chemical and thermal stability, biocompatibility, wide band gap, low refractive index, good electron transfer ability, surface defects, or the formation of free oxygen species on their surface [51,52]. The ability of MgONPs to dissolve, leading to the toxicity of free metal ions and reactive oxygen species (i.e., hydroxyl radicals (*OH), superoxide ions (O 2 *), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and hydroperoxyl radicals) and alkaline effect, is responsible for their antibacterial properties by causing oxidative stress [53][54][55][56]. A possible mechanism underlying the photocatalytic/antimicrobial effects of nanostructures has been described by Pavlatou and colleagues [55].…”