Pilot study of toxicological safety evaluation in acute and 28‐day studies of selenium nanoparticles decorated by polysaccharides from Sargassum fusiforme in Kunming mice

Abstract The monodisperse and nearly spherical selenium nanoparticles decorated by polysaccharides from Sargassum fusiforme (SFPS‐SeNPs) were prepared, characterized, and evaluated in acute and 28‐day toxicological safety studies. In the acute toxicity study, mice underwent oral administration of 26.94, 40.28, 60.21, 90.11, and 134.70 mg Se/kg of SFPS‐SeNPs for 14 days. In the 28‐day study, mice underwent a daily oral administration of 17.75, 8.87, and 4.43 mg Se/kg/day of SFPS‐SeNPs, 4.43 mg Se/kg/day of Na 2 SeO 3 , and normal saline for 28 days. The animals’ general behavior, body weight, biochemical and hematologic parameters, organ coefficients, pathological morphology, Se content, and accumulation rate of Se in vital organs were determined. Results showed that the median lethal dose was 88.76 Se mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level was 4.43 mg Se/kg/day for 28 days. Compared with Na 2 SeO 3 , SFPS‐SeNPs may lead to slightly higher toxicological effects, and it probably accumulates in the liver in the oral dose of 4.43 mg Se/kg/day in Kunming mice. SFPS and nanotechnology can reduce the toxicity of selenium, and SFPS‐SeNPs or SeNPs‐polysaccharides can be potential candidates for drug delivery and food supplement. Practical Application Selenium nanoparticles decorated by polysaccharides from Sargassum fusiforme can improve the stability and reduce the toxicity of selenium nanoparticles. These results of the toxicological safety evaluation can lay the foundation for the safe utilization of selenium nanoparticles decorated by polysaccharides and expand their application in the field of food and medicine.