A novel green one-step synthesis of gold nanoparticles using crocin and their anti-cancer activities

doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.03.056

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology

Volume 159, June 2016, Pages 237-242

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.03.056 Get rights and content

Highlights

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The AuNPs were rapidly synthesized using a bio-reducing agent from saffron stigma (crocin).
•
The AuNPs in the range of 4–10 nm were functionalized and conjugated with crocin.
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The crocin–AuNPs could be stable at room temperature (25 °C) for at least 30 days.
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The AuNPs with crocin were showed significant cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells.

Abstract

Functionalized nanoparticles are specifically designed to deliver drugs at tumor cells and can potentially enhance anticancer activity of drugs such as crocin. In the present study, we have applied antioxidant crocin as a reducing agent for one pot green synthesis of controlled size gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Spherical, stable and uniform AuNPs were synthesized using crocin. These AuNPs are characterized by UV–Vis, TEM and XRD techniques. The prepared AuNPs showed surface plasm on resonance centered at 520 nm with the average particle size of about 4–10 nm. The anti-cancer effect of AuNPs was determined using MTT and LDH tests. The cellular data showed that these AuNPs significantly decreased cancerous cells' growth after 24 and 48 hours in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The results suggest that such AuNPs can be synthesized simply and quickly with invaluable clinical as well as pharmaceutical activities which can help to treat human breast cancer.

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Recent advances in nanotechnology have caused a wide growth in synthesis of nanoparticles in various fields of science including medicine, agriculture, electronics, etc. [1], [2], [3]. Because of unique characteristics of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), they have been drawn into important biological pathways as well as cancer diagnosis and treatment [4], [5], [6]. AuNPs hold great promise to solve several limitations such as nonspecific bio-distribution, lack of targeting, lack of aqueous solubility, poor oral bioavailability, and low therapeutic indices [7]. It has been highly demanded to develop non-toxic synthesis methods, green chemistry and renewable biological resources that have played a pivotal role in preparation of AuNPs [8].

Some typical AuNPs produced by microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alkalotolerant actinomycete bacteria in the range of 15–30 nm and 5–15 nm, respectively [9], [10]. Among bacteria, microbes [11], [12], [13], and plants which are used in biosynthesis process of AuNPs, plants are more suitable due to optimal environmental preservation, fast, available, simple production, and high stability of nanoparticles. Recently, synthesis of metal nanoparticles has been reported by extract of many plants including olive and Aloe Vera [14], [15]. Their antioxidant components are known to charge nanoparticles and prevent their aggregation by stabilizing the particles. In this context, researchers have synthesized, stabilized, and optimized the AuNPs using biochemical constituents of herbs [16].

Saffron stigma contains several active phytocompounds for instance carotenoids (crocins and crocetin), monoterpen aldehydes, and a- and b-carotenes. This herb has enough medicinal properties such as moderating Alzheimer, relieving premenstrual syndrome, reducing depression, and suppressing many cancers [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]. Crocin (C₄₄H₆₄O₂₄), the main ingredient of saffron stigma is one of the water soluble carotenoids in the nature. As an antioxidant, it protects cells against oxidative stress via reducing free radicals [22].

Since AuNPs have not been yet synthesized by crocin, the present study proposed a novel method to produce AuNPs using an antioxidant component. In addition to, their inhibitory effects on proliferation of human breast cancer cells were investigated.

Section snippets

Preparation of Crocin–AuNPs

The reagents included HAuCl₄ salt (> 99.8% purity, Merck) and NaOH (99.8% purity, Merck). According to Bolhasani et al. [23], crocin was separated and purified from the Iranian saffron stigma. In brief, saffron ethanolic extract was applied on a glass column (2 × 80 cm) packed with neutral aluminum oxide 90-active (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and eluted with 50% ethanol, followed by 50% ethanol containing acetic acid (4:1 v = v). Crocin fractions of 4 mL were collected, and their absorbency at 440 nm

Results and Discussion

In this study, the synthesis of AuNPs using crocin was examined as a new nanomaterial, and their potential biological applications were evaluated. For this purpose, crocin was selected as a reducing agent to biosynthesize AuNPs through a simple, fast and efficient method. The results revealed that uniform and proper AuNPs can be produced in mixture of 5 ml of HAuCl₄ 1 mM and 6 ml of crocin 682.38 mM after 24 h at 50 °C.

It is well known that AuNPs exhibited a purple color in aqueous solution due to

Conclusion

In current study, crocin–AuNPs were biosynthesized and characterized for the first time. The size and shape parameters of the synthesized AuNPs were optimized. It was demonstrated that crocin can produce fairly mono-dispersed spherical AuNPs with well-defined dimensions and size of 1–10 nm. Only 24 h of reaction time was required for conversion of almost all gold ions to AuNPs at temperature of 50 °C. Using the clean-green chemistry involved in this proposed method, the industrial scaling of

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Statement of Authorship

The authors hereby certify that all work contained in this article is original. The authors claim full responsibility for the contents of the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank personnel of research laboratory in Birjand University of Medical Sciences. This study was not supported by grants.

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A novel green one-step synthesis of gold nanoparticles using crocin and their anti-cancer activities

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Preparation of Crocin–AuNPs

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

Conflict of Interest

Statement of Authorship

Acknowledgments

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol.

J. Colloid Interface Sci.

Spectrochim. Acta Part A: Mol. and BioMol. Spect.

Adv. Colloid Interf. Sci.

Arab. J. Chem.

Acta Metall.

Spectrochim. Acta A Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc.

J. Photochem. Photobiol., B

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol.

J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol.

Process Biochem.

Rapid biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Ocimum sanctum for water electrolysis applications

Bioprocess Biosyst. Eng.

Synthesis of Au/Al2O3 Nanocatalyst and its application in the reduction of p-Nitrophenol

J of the Chin Chem Soc.

Cancerous cell targeting and destruction using pH stabilized amperometric bioconjugated gold nanoparticles from marine macroalgae, Padina gymnospora

Bioprocess Biosyst. Eng.

One step green synthesis of phytochemicals mediated gold nanoparticles from Aegle Marmales for the prevention of urinary catheter infection

Int J of Pharm & Pharmaceutical Sci.

Biological synthesis of platinum nanoparticles using Diopyros kaki leaf extract

Bioprocess Biosyst. Eng.

Intracellular synthesis of gold nanoparticles by a novel alkalotolerant actinomycete, Rhodococcus species

Nanotechnology

Morphology of gold nanoparticles synthesized by filamentous cyanobacteria from gold (I)-thiosulfate and gold (III)-chloride complexes

Langmuir

Rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using culture supernatant of bacteria with microwave irradiation

J. Chem.

Synthesis of gold nanotriangles and silver nanoparticles using Aloevera plant extract

Biotechnol. Prog.

Soybeans as a phytochemical reservoir for the production and stabilization of biocompatible gold nanoparticles

Small

Synthesis of Au/Al₂O₃ Nanocatalyst and its application in the reduction of p-Nitrophenol