Marine Drugs (Feb 2022)

Immunomodulatory and Antitumoral Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Red Algae Aqueous Extracts

  • Noelia González-Ballesteros,
  • Lara Diego-González,
  • Mariano Lastra-Valdor,
  • Maria Grimaldi,
  • Antonella Cavazza,
  • Franca Bigi,
  • M. Carmen Rodríguez-Argüelles,
  • Rosana Simón-Vázquez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/md20030182
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 3
p. 182

Abstract

Read online

This study reports on the green and cost-efficient synthesis of gold nanoparticles from three different red algae extracts. The nanoparticles synthesized were fully characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, HRTEM, and Z-potential. Relevant components occurring in the extracts, such as polysaccharides or phenolic content, were assessed by analytical techniques such as spectrophotometric assays and liquid chromatography. Finally, the antioxidant, antitumoral, and anti-inflammatory potential of both the extracts and the gold nanoparticles synthesized were analyzed in order to determine a possible synergistic effect on the nanoparticles. The results obtained confirmed the obtainment of gold nanoparticles with significant potential as immunotherapeutic agents. The therapeutic potential of these nanoparticles could be higher than that of inert gold nanoparticles loaded with bioactive molecules since the former would allow for higher accumulation into the targeted tissue.

Keywords