In situ synthesized BSA capped gold nanoparticles: Effective carrier of anticancer drug Methotrexate to MCF-7 breast cancer cells

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• 作者：Priyanka Murawala ; Amruta Tirmale ; Anjali Shiras ; B.L.V. Prasad
• 关键词：Gold nanoparticles ; Dual active agents ; Bovine serum albumin ; Cancer therapy ; Cytotoxicity ; Apoptosis
• 刊名：Materials Science and Engineering: C
• 出版年：1 January, 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：34
• 期：Complete
• 页码：158-167
• 全文大小：1572 K

文摘

The proficiency of MTX loaded BSA capped gold nanoparticles (Au-BSA-MTX) in inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer cells MCF-7 as compared to the free drug Methotrexate (MTX) is demonstrated based on MTT and Ki-67 proliferation assays. In addition, DNA ladder gel electrophoresis studies, flow cytometry and TUNEL assay confirmed the induction of apoptosis by MTX and Au-BSA-MTX in MCF-7 cells. Notably, Au-BSA-MTX was found to have higher cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells compared with an equivalent dose of free MTX. The enhanced activity is attributed to the preferential uptake of Au-BSA-MTX particles by MCF-7 cells due to the presence of BSA that acts as a source of nutrient and energy to the rapidly proliferating MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the targeting ability of the drug MTX to the over expressed folate receptors on MCF-7 cells also contributes to the enhanced uptake and activity. Taken together, these results unveil that Au-BSA-MTX could be more effective than free drug for cancer treatment.