Title:Polysaccharide-Based Materials Associated with or Coordinated to Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Medical Application
Volume: 24
Issue: 25
Author(s): Débora P. Facchi, Joziel A. da Cruz, Elton G. Bonafé, Antonio G. B. Pereira, André R. Fajardo, Sandro A. S. Venter, Johny P. Monteiro, Edvani C. Muniz and Alessandro F. Martins*
Affiliation:
- Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering (PPGEA), Federal University of Technology (UTFPR-AP), 86812-460 Apucarana, PR,Brazil
Keywords:
Gold nanoparticles, polysaccharides, composites, photothermal therapy, biosensors, medical imaging,
drug delivery, tissue engineering.
Abstract: Background: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have enormous potential for application
in imaging, diagnosis, and therapies in the medical field. AuNPs are renowned for
their localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties, large surface area, and biocompatibility
with body fluids. Further, AuNPs have featured prominently in new methodologies
for cancer treatments, like photothermal and imaging therapies. Although
AuNPs present enormous potential for application in the medical field, their instability
under physiological conditions prevents further uses. However, this limitation may be
overcome by associating AuNPs with biopolymers. To the best of our knowledge, a revision
paper rationalizing the structure/property relationship and applications of AuNPspolysaccharide
composites in the medical field has not been published yet.
Methods: This manuscript discusses the most relevant aspects and state-of-art concepts
surrounding the synthesis of AuNPs based on green chemistry and their association with
polysaccharides that can efficiently function both as stabilizing and reducing agents of Au
nanoparticles. Even more, polysaccharide devices may inhibit non-specific interactions
between AuNPs and biological macromolecules, suppressing unsuitable “protein corona”
formations on AuNP surfaces, thereby increasing the potential of AuNP composites of
being employing as drug delivery matrices and wound-healing devices as well as in photothermal/
imaging purposes for cancer treatments and biosensors.