Synthesis, characterisation and biocompatibility of surface-functionalised gold nanoparticles

Understanding and controlling the interactions between nanoparticles and living cells are of great importance in the diagnosis and therapeutic applications of nanosized materials. This article describes the synthesis, characterisation and interactions of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Preliminary cytotoxicity studies were carried out in tumour ascites (Dalton's lymphoma ascites and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma) and normal peritoneal cells for different concentrations and it was found that AuNPs did not cause any cell death or morphological changes even at 100 mu M concentrations. The tissue distribution and toxicity of intravenously administered AuNPs were investigated in mice because of the fundamental importance of obtaining information about the localisation and biocompatibility of this material. Tissue distribution of AuNPs was studied in normal as well as skin tumour-induced Swiss albino mice using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometer and transmission electron microscopy. Acute cytotoxicity and histopathology were carried out for toxicity evaluation in AuNP-injected normal mice and found that AuNPs did not cause any significant metabolic change. The health and behaviour of animals were normal throughout the study. The biocompatibility assessment of AuNPs both in vitro and in vivo confirmed that triethylene glycol-functionalised AuNPs are compatible to the biological system and can be used as a safe material for various biological applications.