A critical review on genotoxicity potential of low dimensional nanomaterials

Highlights: • Describing the importance of studying genotoxicity of low dimensional nanomaterials (LDNMs). • Introducing genotoxicity and its mechanism and methods to determine genotoxicity. • Demonstrating a comparative genotoxic potential of LDNMs between same type of nanoparticles. • Demonstrating a comparative genotoxic potential of LDNMs among different types of nanoparticles. • Elucidating the future direction of LDNMs's genotoxicity. Low dimensional nanomaterials (LDNMs) have earned attention among researchers as they exhibit a larger surface area to volume and quantum confinement effect compared to high dimensional nanomaterials. LDNMs, including 0-D and 1-D, possess several beneficial biomedical properties such as bioimaging, sensor, cosmetic, drug delivery, and cancer tumors ablation. However, they threaten human beings with the adverse effects of cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and genotoxicity when exposed for a prolonged time in industry or laboratory. Among different toxicities, genotoxicity must be taken into consideration with utmost importance as they inherit DNA related disorders causing congenital disabilities and malignancy to human beings. Many researchers have performed NMs' genotoxicity using various cell lines and animal models and reported the effect on various physicochemical and biological factors. In the present work, we have compiled a comparative study on the genotoxicity of the same or different kinds of NMs. Notwithstanding, we have included the classification of genotoxicity, mechanism, assessment, and affecting factors. Further, we have highlighted the importance of studying the genotoxicity of LDNMs and signified the perceptions, future challenges, and possible directives in the field.