Gold nanorods–trypsin biocorona: a novel nano composite for in vitro cytotoxic activity towards MCF-7 and A-549 cancer cells

In the present work, we have synthesized cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) capped gold nanorods (Au NRs) to evaluate apparent binding affinities for the adsorption of trypsin (TRP).

Synthesis of gold nanomaterials and their cancer-related biomedical applications: an update

Recently, the advances in the synthesis of new types of nanomaterials have created several opportunities in drug delivery and targeted therapy applications. Among the various nanostructures, gold nanostructures with controllable physical and chemical properties have received attention for various biomedical uses, including sensing of biomolecules, in vitro and in vivo bioimaging (as advanced contrast agents for photothermal and bioimaging techniques), photothermolysis of cancer cells, and targeted drug delivery. The attractive properties of gold nanomaterials, particularly, anti-angiogenic properties, are highly useful in a variety of cancers studies. In addition, they can bind many proteins and drugs and can be actively targeted to cancer cells over-expressing cell surface receptors and they are biocompatible in nature with a high atomic number, which directs to greater absorption of kilovoltage X-rays and provides greater contrast than standard agents. In this review, we have summarized the synthesis, structure and functionalization of gold nanostructures, and their biomedical applications with special reference to cancer studies.

Curcumin-Conjugated Gold Clusters for Bioimaging and Anticancer Applications

Curcumin-conjugated gold clusters (CUR-AuNCs) were synthesized using a "green" procedure and utilized as an anticancer and a bioimaging agent. Curcumin is a well-known anticancer agent, which forms a cluster when reacting with a gold precursor under mild alkali condition. A fluorescence spectroscopy analysis showed that the CUR-AuNCs emitted red fluorescence (650 nm) upon visible light (550) irradiation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the stretching and bending nature between the gold atoms and curcumin. Meanwhile, transmission electron microscopy analysis showed a cluster of approximately 1-3 nm with a uniform size. Time-resolved fluorescence analysis demonstrated that the red fluorescence was highly stable. Moreover, laser confocal imaging and atomic force microscopy analysis illustrated that a cluster was well distributed in the cell. This cluster exhibited less toxicity in the mortal cell line (COS-7) and high toxicity in the cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The results demonstrated the conjugation of curcumin into the fluorescent gold cluster as a potential material for anticancer therapy and bioimaging applications.