Induction of Au-methotrexate conjugates by sugar molecules: production, assembly mechanism, and bioassay studies

Publication date: 1 March 2018 Source:International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Volume 538, Issues 1–2 Author(s): Wei-Yuan Wang, Xiu-Fen Zhao, Xiao-Han Ju, Ping Liu, Jing Li, Ya-Wen Tang, Shu-Ping Li, Xiao-Dong Li, Fu-Gui Song Au-methotrexate (Au-MTX) conjugates induced by sugar molecules were produced by a simple, one-pot, hydrothermal growth method. Herein, the Au(III)-MTX complexes were used as the precursors to form Au-MTX conjugates. Addition of different types of sugar molecules with abundant hydroxyl groups resulted in the formation of Au-MTX conjugates featuring distinct characteristics that could be explained by the diverse capping mechanisms of sugar molecules. That is, the instant-capping mechanism of glucose favored the generation of peanut-like Au-MTX conjugates with high colloidal stability while the post-capping mechanism of dextran and sucrose resulted in the production of Au-MTX conjugates featuring excellent near-infrared (NIR) optical properties with a long-wavelength plasmon resonance near 630–760 nm. Moreover, in vitro bioassays showed that cancer cell viabilities upon incubation with free MTX, Au-MTX conjugates doped with glucose, dextran and sucrose for 48 h were 74.6%, 55.0%, 62.0%, and 63.1%, respectively. Glucose-doped Au-MTX conjugates exhibited a higher anticancer activity than those doped with dextran and sucrose, therefore potentially presenting a promising treatment platform for anticancer therapy. Based on the present study, th...
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research