Synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

The adverse toxicological profile of cisplatin (cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (II)), characterized by nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity is the main factor that limit the clinical usefulness of this antineoplastic drug, specifically the possibility of applying it in effective high-dose regimens. In order to overcome these disadvantages, many efforts in the search for new drugs have been made. Due to this particularity, we obtained via sol–gel process Pt(acac)2–TiO2 (NPt) nanostructured materials with antitumoral activity to be used as an alternative in the treatment of cancer tumors. The biocatalysts were prepared by the sol–gel route using the complex Pt(acac)2. Sol–gel parameters were controlled in order to obtain high platinum dispersion and particles in the nano-size range. TEM, FTIR, N2 adsorption and XPS characterization studies of the samples were carried out. In order to investigate interactions between the biocatalyst and DNA, agarose gel electrophoresis was performed, and we observed the formation of DNA adducts. 45 minutes after contact, NPt completely degraded the DNA (cisplatin 120 minutes). These results demonstrate that using a metal supported and dispersed over an inorganic biocompatible oxide, can be effectively used in the treatment of localized tumors.