Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In vitro release behavior and cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded gold nanoparticles in cancerous cells

  • Original Research Paper
  • Published:
Biotechnology Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX), a common cancer chemotherapeutics, was conjugated to folate-modified thiolated-polyethylene glycol-functionalized gold nanoparticles. The in vitro, controlled release behavior of DOX-loaded gold nanoparticles was observed using porous dialysis membranes (cut-off = 2 kDa). DOX-loaded gold nanoparticles had higher cytotoxicity for folate-receptor-positive cells (KB cells) compared to folate-receptor-negative cells (A549 cells) which were 48 and 62% viable for 10 μM doxorubicin, respectively. This indicates the potential of these nano-carriers for targeted-delivery. In addition, healthy cell viability was 69% for 10 μM free doxorubicin whereas for the same content of drug in DOX-loaded nanoparticles healthy cell viability increased to 80%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dixit V, Van den Bossche J, Sherman DM et al (2006) Synthesis and grafting of thioctic acid-PEG-folate conjugates onto Au nanoparticles for selective targeting of folate receptor-positive tumor cells. Bioconjug Chem 17:603–609

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hering K, Cialla D, Ackermann K et al (2008) SERS: a versatile tool in chemical and biochemical diagnostics. Anal Bioanal Chem 390:113–124

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter RJ (2001) Foundations of colloid science. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasthuri J, Veerapandian S, Rajendiran N (2009) Biological synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using apiin as reducing agent. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 68:55–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee GY, Park K, Kim SY et al (2007) MMPs-specific PEGylated peptide-DOX conjugate micelles that can contain free doxorubicin. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 67:646–654

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lu W, Sun Q, Wan J et al (2006) Cationic albumin-conjugated pegylated nanoparticles allow gene delivery into brain tumors via intravenous administration. Cancer Res 66:11878–11887

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mosmann T (1983) Rapid colorimetric assay for cellular growth and survival: application to proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. J Immunol Methods 65:55–63

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patra CR, Bhattacharya R, Mukhopadhyay D et al (2008) Application of gold nanoparticles for targeted therapy in cancer. J Biomed Nanotechnol 4:99–132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rozenberg M, Shoham G (2007) FTIR spectra of solid poly-l-lysine in the stretching NH mode range. Biophys Chem 125:166–171

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weitman SD, Lark RH, Coney LR et al (1992) Distribution of the folate receptor, GP38, in normal and malignant cell lines and tissues. Cancer Res 52:3396–3401

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xu ZP, Zeng QH, Lu GQ et al (2006) Inorganic nanoparticles as carriers for efficient cellular delivery. Chem Eng Sci 61:1027–1040

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo HS, Park TG (2004) Folate-receptor-targeted delivery of doxorubicin nano-aggregates stabilized by doxorubicin-PEG-folate conjugate. J Control Release 100:247–256

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Huey Lee S, Feng SS (2007) Folate-decorated poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-vitamin E TPGS nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery. Biomaterials 28:1889–1899

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Rana S, Srivastava RS et al (2008) On the chemical synthesis and drug delivery response of folate receptor-activated, polyethylene glycol-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles. Acta Biomater 4:40–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This project was supported by Biochemical and Bioenvironmental Centre of Sharif University of Technology, and also we wish to thank Sharif Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Biotechnology Research Centre and Cell Bank Centre of Pasteur Institute of Iran, for their helpful contributions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    B. Asadishad, M. Vossoughi & I. Alamzadeh

  2. Institute of Nanoscience, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    M. Vossoughi

  3. Biochemical and Bioenvironmental Research Center, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    I. Alamzadeh

Authors
  1. B. Asadishad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Vossoughi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. Alamzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I. Alamzadeh.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material. Supplementary Fig. 1 Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image for PEG-functionalized gold nanoparticles (PEG-SH-GdNPS) which shows the average size of the 12 nm for nanoparticles.

Supplementary material 1 (DOC 50 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Asadishad, B., Vossoughi, M. & Alamzadeh, I. In vitro release behavior and cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded gold nanoparticles in cancerous cells. Biotechnol Lett 32, 649–654 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0208-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0208-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation