ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

In vivo toxicity and safety evaluation of Calcium-Ion functionalized silica nanocomposites in Drosophila melanogaster for biomedical applications

M. S. Marvaan, Anisha Saha, Sahabudeen Sheik Mohideen, Balashanmugan Pannerselvam, and G. Devanand Venkatasubbu

Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India

E-mail: gdevanandvenkatasubbu@gmail.com

Received: 12 October 2025  Accepted: 30 December 2025

Abstract:

Nanocomposites have potential applications in the biomedical field. The growing use of nanomaterials in biomedical intervention raises concern about its potential cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Systemic in vivo toxicity assessment of nanomaterial is essential prior to clinical application. Calcium functionalized silicon dioxide nanocomposite (Ca²⁺/SiO₂) was synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface charge of the nanocomposite was analysed using zeta potential measurement. The cytotoxicity of the nanocomposite was evaluated using MTT assay in L929 fibroblast cells. The toxicity of the material was further investigated in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) model using behavioural assays (survival, climbing, and crawling) and biochemical analyses (superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and protein estimation). The results indicate that the Ca²⁺/SiO₂ is non-toxic up to a concentration of 200 µg/mL. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the biocompatibility of Ca²⁺/SiO₂, suggesting their potential for biomedical applications.

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Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster; Superoxide dismutase; Reactive oxygen species; Glutathione s-transferase; Toxicity

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04635-y

Chemical Papers 80 (4) 3571–3583 (2026)