Cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles and retinoic acid macromolecules

Background and Aim : Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been suggested as helpful medical vehicles in the field of regenerative medicine due to their unique optical properties. The current study examined the directly conjugation ability of retinoic acid (RA) with AuNPs, effects of AuNPs-RA complex on cell viability of human adipose derived stem cell (hADSCs).Methods : At first, AuNPs synthesized and the size and morphology of the NPs was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Conjugation of RA with AuNPs was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Then, loading efficiency of RA in AuNPs-RA complex were determined with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). In order to determine a non-cytotoxic RA and AuNPs concentration range, cell viability (MTT) assay was performed 24, 48 and 72h post exposure to different concentration of RA, AuNPs and AuNPs-RA complex.Results : The TEM and FE-SEM assessment revealed that the synthetized AuNPs were spherical in shape with an average diameter of 36.5 nm. Infrared spectroscopy was performed to identify different functional groups in RA, AuNPs and AuNPs-RA complex solutions. Conjugation efficiency of RA in AuNPs was analysed with UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and the optimal concentration of RA for prepared AuNPs-RA complex was 0.14 M. In MTT assay, an RA concentration of 66 μM caused a 50% inhibition of cell viability and AuNPs were not cytotoxic for concentrations below 5 μg/ml.Conclusion : These data, confirmed the directly conjugation ability of retinoic acid (RA) with AuNPs.

Keywords:

Human adipose derived stem cells , Retinoic acid , Gold nanoparticles , Cell viability