Engineering of pectin-reduced gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery of an antiviral drug to macrophages: in vitro and in vivo assessment

Abstract

In this study, we have attempted one pot green synthesis of non-cytotoxic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The formation of pectin (PEC)-reduced and stabilized gold nanoparticles was ascertained by monitoring surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band. The as-synthesized gold nanoparticles demonstrated SPR band at 518 nm, having a spherical shape with a particle size of 13 nm and zeta potential value of − 34.17 mV. The pectin-reduced gold nanoparticles (PEC-AuNPs) showed excellent stability under varying pH and electrolyte conditions. The potential of PEC-AuNPs as a carrier of antiretroviral drug zidovudine (AZT) was explored. In vitro cellular uptake of gold nanoparticles by macrophages was visualized by confocal microscopy and quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The in vivo tissue distribution of PEC-AuNPs was carried out in Wistar rats to evaluate its potential to target HIV reservoir sites. These finding could be further utilized for imaging and cancer therapy using tumor-associated macrophages.