The Cytotoxic Effects of Betulin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles as Stable Formulations in Normal and Melanoma Cells

Gold nanoparticles are currently investigated as theranostics tools in cancer therapy due to their proper biocompatibility and increased efficacy related to the ease to customize the surface properties and to conjugate other molecules. Betulin, [lup-20(29)-ene-3β, 28-diol], is a pentacyclic triterpe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in pharmacology 2018-05, Vol.9, p.429-429
Main Authors: Mioc, Marius, Pavel, Ioana Zinuca, Ghiulai, Roxana, Coricovac, Dorina E, Farcaş, Claudia, Mihali, Ciprian-Valentin, Oprean, Camelia, Serafim, Vlad, Popovici, Ramona A, Dehelean, Cristina A, Shtilman, Michael I, Tsatsakis, Aristidis M, Şoica, Codruţa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
apoptosis
betulin
gold nanoparticles
melanoma
Pharmacology
skin
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Summary:Gold nanoparticles are currently investigated as theranostics tools in cancer therapy due to their proper biocompatibility and increased efficacy related to the ease to customize the surface properties and to conjugate other molecules. Betulin, [lup-20(29)-ene-3β, 28-diol], is a pentacyclic triterpene that has raised scientific interest due to its antiproliferative effect on several cancer types. Herein we described the synthesis of surface modified betulin-conjugated gold nanoparticles using a slightly modified Turkevich method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used for the characterization of obtained gold nanoparticles. Cytotoxic activity and apoptosis assessment were carried out using the MTT and Annexin V/PI apoptosis assays. The results showed that betulin coated gold nanoparticles presented a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect and induced apoptosis in all tested cell lines.
ISSN:1663-9812
1663-9812
DOI:10.3389/fphar.2018.00429