ABSTRACT
In this study, gold nanorods (AuNRs) were first stabilized by hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and then coated with two kinds of polyelectrolytes (PE) and BSA to obtain multi-layered AuNRs (AuNRs-PE-BSA). Furthermore, the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated into AuNRs-PE-BSA by the electrostatic force and the nanocomposites formed were named AuNRs/DOX-PE-BSA. The success of coating was verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, gel-electrophoresis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The MTT assay indicated that the cytotoxicity of AuNRs decreased dramatically after multi-layer capping. The time-dependent nucleus-targeting capability of AuNRs/DOX-PE-BSA was confirmed in cell affinity evaluations. The in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that AuNRs/DOX-PE-BSA, which combined photothermal and chemotherapy for tumor therapy, bears a markedly improved curative effect and holds promising prospects in the field of nanomedicine.
ABSTRACT
CdHgTe/SiO(2) nanoparticles were prepared by SiO(2) capping on the surface of CdHgTe QDs. The characteristics, such as optical spectra, photostability, size and cell toxicity were investigated. The dynamic distribution of CdHgTe/SiO(2) nanoparticles was in vivo monitored by near infrared fluorescence imaging system. CdHgTe/SiO(2) nanoparticles acted as a novel fluorescence probe have a maximum fluorescence emission of 785 nm and high photo-stability. The hydrodynamic diameter of CdHgTe/SiO(2) nanoparticles could be adjusted to 122.3 nm. Compared to CdHgTe QDs, inhibitory effects of CdHgTe/SiO(2) nanoparticles on proliferation of HCT116 cells decreased to a certain extent. CdHgTe/SiO(2) nanoparticles had their specific dynamic distribution behavior, which provided new perspectives for bio-distribution of nanoparticles.