Hybrid chitosan gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy and enhanced cytotoxic action of 6-mercaptopurine on breast cancer cell line

Background One of the most popular anti-inflammatory and anti-leukemic medications is 6-mercaptopurine, along with its riboside derivatives.

Because of their potent adverse effects and limited biological half-life, they are rarely used.

These problems might be solved by a novel medication delivery technique based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

In present work, gold/chitosan nanohybrid was manufactured and assessed for photothermal therapy as well as a drug carrier to minimize the unwanted harmful effects of 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP).

We estimate loading of 6-MP on gold nanoparticles by chitosan reduction (Au@CS NPs) creating (Au@CS-6MP).

Results AuNPs were green sensitized in one step via chitosan.

UV–visible spectroscopy, Zeta potential, TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and HPLC technique for loading efficiency were used to characterize AuNPs and Au@CS-6MPC NPS.

Our results estimate that AuNPs and Au@CS-6MPC NPS with small sizes of 16 ± 2 and 20 ± 4 nm, respectively, and Zeta potential 53.6 ± 5.2 and 55 ± 3 mV, respectively, and loading efficiency of 52% were achieved.

Cytotoxicity of the Au@CS-6MPC NPs was significantly increased compared to free 6MP with IC_50 1.11 µM.

Cell viability was inhibited in AuNPs exposed to DPSS laser light, reaching 10% inhibition after 8 min.

Conclusions The prepared Au@CS-6MPC NPs resulted in an additive effect in therapeutic managing of breast cancer.

It can be predicted that this nanocomposite along with synergistic effect of laser light will definitely result in better therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects of 6-MP in a combination photothermal chemotherapy treatment.

This combination can be explored as future alternative for cancer therapy.