Gold nanoparticles loaded into niosomes: A novel approach for enhanced antitumor activity against human ovarian cancer

Abstract

In the current study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared using the green synthesis method using Artemisia annua extract, loaded into niosomes, and investigated their cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects. To optimize the niosomal formulation containing AuNPs, the effects of surfactants: cholesterol molar ratio, Span 60: Tween 60 M ratio, and AuNP concentration (mg/mL) were investigated. After exam-ining the drug release profile, mathematical models were assessed to predict release kinetic. The cytotox-icity of noisome encapsulated AuNPs and free AuNPs was evaluated against human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) by MTT assay. The apoptotic/necrosis ratio was studied using flow cytometry as well as Real-Time PCR was used for the Bax and Bcl-2 apoptosis gene expression. The results showed that the entrapment efficiency and particle size of optimized niosomal formulation encapsulated AuNPs were 34.49+/- 0.84 and 153.6 +/- 4.62 nm with a regular spherical shape, respectively. The release profile of AuNPs from niosomal formulation was 59+/- 1.0 after 8 h suggesting the controlled release profile. This formulation exerted dose-dependent cytotoxicity against the A2780 cells via induction of apoptosis and significant upregulation of mRNA expression of Bax gene; while expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 was down-regulated. Thus, the findings suggest that AuNP-loaded niosomal formulation is consid-ered a promising and suitable targeted system for improving anti-tumor activity against A2780 cells. (c) 2021 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.