Therapeutic Potential of Selenium Nanoparticles

Abstract

Selenium plays essential role in regulating function of many selenoproteins in body. It is an important micronutrient and its supplementation provides tremendous health benefits. It has been found that humans have 25 selenoproteins that play important roles in the body. Therefore, deficiency of selenium can lead to many chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Selenium is also important in reducing inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress and in improving bone health. Selenium improves functioning of immune system, maintains oxidative balance in body and decreases bone resorption. Toxicicity issues related to selenium have moved the direction of research towards nano particles (NPs) of selenium as in nano form selenium is less toxic and safer for living systems. In nano form the entire properties of selenium are changed as compared to its bulk form. In this review, we have described the various health-care applications of SeNPs (selenium nanoparticles). It is also discussed that how nanoselenium can act as a promising agent in treating chronic health disorders.