Preparation and characterization of curcumin loaded gold/graphene oxide nanocomposite for potential breast cancer therapy

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) and gold/graphene oxide (Au/GO) nanocomposites were fabricated through a facile chemical route and their application as excellent nanocarriers for curcumin delivery were also demonstrated. The structure and physical properties of GO and Au/GO nanocomposite were investigated by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and UV–visible spectrophotometry. Curcumin was chosen as a model drug to be loaded onto the GO via π–π stacking and hydrophobic interaction. The cytotoxicity of GO, Au/GO, and curcumin-loaded Au/GO nanocomposite (Au/GO/Cur) was investigated on the MCF7 breast cancer cell line, and HEK293 (human embryonic kidney 293) cells. The toxicity of the nanocomposites were also tested against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larva, and human red blood cells (RBC) membrane disruption. The Au/GO/Cur system indicated cancer cell-specific properties with no noticeable toxicity on normal healthy cells after 48 and 72 h incubation with different concentrations in comparison to GO. In addition, the Au/GO/Cur nanocomposite did not show a strong lethal effect on brine shrimp larva (50% lethal concentration or LC50 = 657.35 µg/mL). The effect of the nanocomposite on the integrity of RBC membranes was negligible and confirmed its hemocompatibility and biocompatibility. Thus, the prepared nanocomposite system offers a novel formulation that combines the unique properties of a biodegradable material for biomedical applications.