Gold nanoparticles and nanorods (AuNPs, AuNRs) are widely applied for biomedical uses such as imaging/diagnostic tools, drug and gene delivery, photothermal therapy, sensors, and biotechnologies.[1-3] Their success is due to their unique chemical and physical properties, biocompatibility, and well-established strategies for surface modification. In this framework we report a study about drug delivery systems based on functionalized AuNPs or AuNRs. These nanomaterials are optimized to increase the hydrophilia of the drug delivery systems and improve the bioavailability of the water insoluble drugs. AuNPs (Figure 1) and AuNRs were synthesized using hydrophilic thiols as capping agents in several molar ratios Au/S (1/1;1/2;1/4). The nanosystems were characterized by means of several spectroscopic techniques (Uv-visible, FTIR, XPS) and by DLS, confirming their nanodimension and the surface functionalizations. The AuNPs were tested as carrier for Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes. [4] Depth studies were performed to improve the drug loading on AuNPs (loading efficiency 80%) and the stability of the conjugate systems. Moreover preliminary release studies show a slow release in PBS. These results open new exciting perspectives in the field of “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies.
Hydrophilic gold nanoparticles and nanorods as drug delivery systems for anticancer copper complexes
C. Santini;M. Pellei;
2018-01-01
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles and nanorods (AuNPs, AuNRs) are widely applied for biomedical uses such as imaging/diagnostic tools, drug and gene delivery, photothermal therapy, sensors, and biotechnologies.[1-3] Their success is due to their unique chemical and physical properties, biocompatibility, and well-established strategies for surface modification. In this framework we report a study about drug delivery systems based on functionalized AuNPs or AuNRs. These nanomaterials are optimized to increase the hydrophilia of the drug delivery systems and improve the bioavailability of the water insoluble drugs. AuNPs (Figure 1) and AuNRs were synthesized using hydrophilic thiols as capping agents in several molar ratios Au/S (1/1;1/2;1/4). The nanosystems were characterized by means of several spectroscopic techniques (Uv-visible, FTIR, XPS) and by DLS, confirming their nanodimension and the surface functionalizations. The AuNPs were tested as carrier for Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes. [4] Depth studies were performed to improve the drug loading on AuNPs (loading efficiency 80%) and the stability of the conjugate systems. Moreover preliminary release studies show a slow release in PBS. These results open new exciting perspectives in the field of “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
