Flow cytometry and light scattering technique in evaluation of nutraceuticals

Toxic and mechanistic properties of nutraceuticals are not as extensively studied as those of pharmaceuticals. Flow cytometry is among the most popular techniques to investigate the modes and mechanisms of cytotoxic action of chemical compounds, though flow cytometry methods are not suitable for online registration of fast changes of cell volumes. Such registration is especially important for some types of cells, such as human erythrocytes having no nuclei and mitochondria. In this chapter, we describe a new device (LaSca, Biomedsystems Ltd, Russia) for the registration of kinetic changes in cell volume, morphology and aggregation. In addition, flow cytometry methods of cell viability assessment are overviewed paying attention to mechanisms of cell death and survival, and some cellular studies of nutraceuticals employing light scattering and flow cytometry techniques are given in short.