Manganese oxide nanoparticles (MnO NPs) have been regarded as a new class of T-1-positive contrast agents. The cytotoxicity of silica coated MnO NPs (MnO@SiO2 NPs) was investigated in human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) and mouse fibroblast cells (L929). The changes of cell viability, cell morphology, cellular oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle induced by MnO@SiO2 NPs were evaluated. Compared to HeLa cells, L929 cells showed lower cell viability, more strongly response to oxidative stress and higher percentage in the G2/M phase of cell cycle. The appearance of sub-G1 peak, double staining with Annexin V-FITC/PI and the increase of Caspase-3 activity further confirmed apoptosis should be the major form of cell death. Moreover, the apoptotic pathway was clarified as follows. Firstly, reactive oxygen species (ROS) is generated induced by MnO@SiO2 NPs, then p53 is activated followed by an increase in the bax and a decrease in the bcl-2, ultimately leading to G2/M phase arrest, increasing the activity of caspase-3 and inducing apoptosis. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.