Synthesis and characterization of Arabic gum capped gold nanoparticles for tumor-targeted drug delivery

In this study, green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was achieved by sunlight-mediated method using the leaves extract of Vitex negundo (V. negundo) as a reducing agent and Arabic gum is used as a capping agent. Epirubicin-loaded Arabic gum-capped gold nanoparticles (E-GNPs) was synthesized and then functionalized with folic acid for tumor-targeted drug delivery. Folic acid-functionalized (Fa-E-GNPs) nanoparticles were characterized by different physicochemical characterization methods such as UV spectra, FESEM, particle size analysis, zeta potential, SAED and HRTEM. In vitro stability of the Fa-E-GNPs was also analyzed. The Fa-E-GNPs showed enhanced cytotoxic effects on lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell line, suggesting that the folic acid functionalization led to cancer cell targeting and in turn increased the uptake of epirubicin by cancer cells. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.