Manganese and its oxides in the form of nanoparticles could be a promising alternative for gadolinium-based contrast agents used in diagnostic imaging. Manganese, which is essential for living organisms as an enzyme cofactor, under excessive exposure—for example, due to water contamination or as an occupational hazard for welders—can lead to neurological disorders, including manganism—a condition similar to Parkinson’s disease. This review attempts to summarise the available literature data on the potential applications of manganese and manganese oxide nanoparticles.
Mn/Mn Oxide Nanoform | Modification | Application | Comments | Research Model | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mn3O4 | - | MRI contrasting agent | - | Balb/c nude mice with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)2 xenografted tumour | Xiao et al. 2013 [23] |
MnO | PVP | MRI contrasting agent | - | Human lung carcinoma cell line (SPCA-1 cells) KM mice |
Hu et al. 2013 [24] |
Mn3O4 | PEG, Cy7.5 | Dual modality contrasting agent (MRI + fluorescence) | - | BALB/c mice | Zhan et al. 2017 [25] |
Fe3O4/MnO nanocrystals | - | MRI contrasting agent | T1 and T2 mode | BALB/c nude mice | Im et al. 2013 [26] |
Mn | Doped on silica NPs | Cancer treatment + drug delivery | induce ferroptosis via GSH depletion; might be loaded with drugs, e.g., sorafenib | Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) | Tang et al. 2019 [27] |
MnO2 | Ce6, PEG-cRGD | Photosensitizer delivery for PTT and PDT | - | Human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (PC3) | Zeng et al. 2019 [29] |
MnO2 | BSA, IR780, doxorubicin | Combined photo- and chemotherapy for cancer treatment | MnO2 degradation leading to red-ox imbalance as additional anti-cancer mechanism | Human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), Balb/c nude mice inoculated with MCF-7 tumor | Yuan et al. 2019 [30] |
MnO2 | OA | Radiosensitizer delivery | Mn-induced O2 release as additional anti-cancer mechanism | Human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (H1299), human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC7), athymic female nude mice inoculated with H1299 cells |
Liu et al. 2020 [31] |
MnO2 | BSA, ICG | Combined photothermal and photodynamic for cancer treatment | Mn-induced O2 release as additional anti-cancer mechanism | Nude mice inoculated with murine melanoma (B16F10) cells | Wen et al. 2020 [32] |
MnO | PEG, Cy5.5 | MRI contrasting agent + drug delivery for targeted therapy | Good retention and selectiveness | Sprague–Dawley rats with surgically developed myocardial ischemia | Zheng et al. 2018 [33] |
MnO2 | BPD | Drug delivery for targeted therapy + MRI contrasting agent | Mn-induced O2 release as additional anti-cancer mechanism | HepG2 orthotopic mice | Wang et al. 2020 [37] |
MnO2 | captopril–stabilized Au nanoclusters, DSP | Sensitizer (PDT) and drug delivery for targeted therapy +MRI contrasting agent | Mn ion-related depletion of GSH as mechanism supporting the effects of PDT | Mice inoculated with mouse cervical carcinoma (U14) cells |
Bi et al. 2018 [38] |
MnO | Loaded into LCN with BA | Chemodynamic therapy + fluorescent imaging | Mn ions catalyse Fenton-like reaction, triggering apoptosis | Balb/c mice with 4T1 (breast cancer) xenografted tumour | Urandur et al. 2020 [39] |
MnO2 | GOx | Starvation/hyperthermia therapy+ MRI and PA contrasting agent | Mn-dependent reaction releases O2 necessary for GOx activity | Human melanoma (A375 cells), nude mice inoculated with A375 cells | He et al. 2020 [40] |