Lymphoma Ascites Research Articles

Novel water soluble dendrimer nanocarrier for enhanced photodynamic efficacy of protoporphyrin IX

The present study describes the development and evaluation of a novel biocompatible dendrimer-based nano drug delivery system which is readily soluble in water prepared by condensing Phloroglucinol and Succinic Acid (PGSA) and could efficiently encapsulate a well known hydrophobic photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). The (dark and photo) cytotoxicity of the PGSA-PpIX (dendrimer-drug) formulation towards Dalton Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cancer cell lines upon visible light treatment is reported and evaluated the cytotoxic Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation efficiency of the Protoporphyrin IX in free and dendrimer encapsulated forms. The in vitro toxicity demonstrated by PpIX loaded PGSA dendrimer nanoformulation, on DLA cells reveals that this novel PGSA nanocarrier reduces the toxic nature of PpIX when compared to free PpIX without light treatment which satisfy the aim of our study. On the other hand, treatment of DLA cells with PGSA dendrimer formulation in combination with light resulted in significant enhancement in therapeutic efficacy of the PDT agent, PpIX.

Synthesis, Docking and Biological Evaluation of Some Novel 5-bromo-2- (5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione Derivatives Targeting ATP-binding Site of Topoisomerase II

Human Topoisomerase IIα (htopoIIα) is an approved and validated target for designing anticancer agents. Among the various methods to block the functions of htopoIIα, targeting ATP site for its competitive inhibition has been relatively less investigated. Therefore, to identify some novel htopoIIα inhibitors to target the ATP-binding site, we designed and synthesized a small library of 5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole coupled phthalimide derivatives structurally related to thalidomide. Initially, 2-amino-5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives (TDZ 1-8) were synthesized by ferric chloride catalysed oxidative cyclization of thiosemicarbazone derivatives (THZ 1-8) which were obtained by the reaction of substituted aryl aldehydes with thiosemicarbazide. TDZ 1-8 on reaction with 4-bromophthalic anhydride in presence of 4Å molecular sieves and glacial acetic acid gave 5-bromo-2-(5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)isoindoline-1,3-dione derivatives (PTD 1-8). All the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR and LCMS. The final compounds, PTD 1- 8 were docked at the ATP-binding site of chain B of htopoIIα. The compounds with best in silico results were further screened by dye exclusion test for short term cytotoxicity study on Dalton’s lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells using Trypan blue dye. One of the synthesized compound PTD-2 exhibited prominent in silico and in vitro anticancer activity.

Antitumor activity of the methanolic extract of Ammannia baccifera L. against Dalton's ascites lymphoma induced ascitic and solid tumors in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIndia is a rich source of medicinal plants and a number of plant extracts are used against diseases in various systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Only a few of them have been scientifically explored. One of such plants is Ammannia baccifera L., traditionally used as an antitumor agent. Aim of the studyThe objective of the present study was to explore the anticancer activity of the methanol extract of A. baccifera against Dalton's ascites lymphoma (DAL)-bearing Swiss albino mice and in vitro cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). Materials and methodsIn vitro cytotoxic effects of A. baccifera was evaluated against HeLa and NIH 3T3 cells using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method. Anticancer activity of the extract was evaluated in Swiss albino mice against DAL cell line at the doses of 100 and 200mg/kg p.o. The extract was administered to animals for 14 consecutive days. After 12h fasting from last dose, the mice were sacrificed and the anticancer effect of A. baccifera was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumor cell count, tumor weight, hematological parameters and certain antioxidant biochemical parameters against DAL bearing control group. ResultsThe extract of A. baccifera was cytotoxic to the HeLa cancer cell line but relatively non-toxic to the normal cell line NIH 3T3. A. baccifera extract treatment resulted in significant decreases in tumor volume, viable cell count and tumor weight and enhanced the life span of DAL bearing mice. Hematological parameters such as RBC, hemoglobin and lymphocyte count reverted to normal level in A. baccifera treated mice. The extract also significantly (p<0.05) decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of GSH, GPx, SOD and CAT. The anticancer effects of the A. baccifera extract is comparable with that of the standard drug 5-Fluorouracil. ConclusionThe results showed that the methanol extract of A. baccifera is effective in inhibiting the tumor growth in ascetic models that is comparable to 5-fluorouracil. This plant has potential in the development of anticancer therapy and this study scientifically validated the folklore use of this plant.

Synthesis and anticancer study of 9-aminoacridine derivatives

Acridine and its derivatives, well known as DNA intercalates lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. 9-Aminoacridine derivatives were synthesized, characterized and evaluated against lung cancer (A-549) cell line and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line by MTT assay. Compound 9 exhibited potent anticancer activity with CTC50 (13.75 & 18.75μg/ml) for cervical cancer cell (HeLa) line and lung cancer cell (A-549) line respectively. In vitro short term cytotoxicity evaluation of compound 9 was carried out by Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) with percentage growth inhibition CTC50 (337.5μg/ml). Compound 7 also exhibited good anticancer activity with CTC50 (31.25 & 36.25μg/ml) for cervical cancer cell (HeLa) line and lung cancer cell (A-549) line respectively. Further in vivo study of newly synthesized 9-aminoacridine derivative can give a ray of light in the field of anticancer drugs.

Gelatin Nanocarrier Enables Efficient Delivery and Phototoxicity of Hypocrellin B Against a Mice Tumour Model

Nanoparticles formulated from biodegradable and natural polymer gelatin, were investigated for their potential to enable efficient delivery and enhanced efficacy of a well-known photodynamic agent, Hypocrellin B (HB). The HB-loaded poly(ethylene glycol) modified gelatin nanoparticles (HB-PEG-GNP) possessed near-spherical shape, with particle size in the range of 292 +/- 42 nm, and demonstrated characteristic optical properties for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Photophysical studies of the HB-PEG-GNP demonstrated photogeneration of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The nanoparticles were tested for cellular uptake in vitro, on Daltons' Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells and demonstrated dose dependent phototoxicity upon visible light treatment. HB-PEG-GNP induced mitochondrial damage, as investigated by JC-1 staining, leading to apoptotic cell death. Biodistribution measurements revealed that nanoformulation reduces liver uptake of HB-PEG-GNP and increases tumour uptake with time. In vivo PDT studies in solid tumour bearing mice showed markedly significant regression (38.5 +/- 2.2%, p < 0.05) for HB-PEG-GNP treated mice in contrast to those treated with free HB (29.36 +/- 1.62%). The present study reveals gelatin nanocarrier to be an effective drug delivery system for enhancement of therapeutic efficacy of the PDT agent, HB.

Drosera indica L: Potential effect on liver enzyme, lipid profile and hormone change in Dalton and #8217;s lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing mice

Abstract Aim: In this study, the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Drosera indica L were prepared and cancer induced liver enzyme, lipid profile and hormone changes were studied in mice using the Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) cells. Method: Animals were divided into seven groups as the normal control, DLA control, standard (5FU) and the ethanol and aqueous extracts (250 and 500mg/kg each) of D. indica L + DLA (four groups) were given the respective treatments 24 h after tumor cell inoculation, for 14 days. Result: Both ethanol and aqueous extracts of D. indica L at doses of 250 and 500mg/kg extracts showed significant (p

IRL-1620, an Endothelin-B Receptor Agonist, Enhanced Radiation Induced Reduction in Tumor Volume in Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites Tumor Model

ETB receptor agonist, IRL-1620 (or SPI-1620) presently in US Phase 1 clinical trial, has been demonstrated to selectively and transiently increase tumor blood flow. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of IRL-1620 on radiation therapy in tumor bearing mice inoculated with Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites cells. Tumors were allowed to grow for 30 days to a size of 1.10-1.29 cm3 before starting the treatment. The animals with or without IRL-1620 treatment were exposed to radiation (4 Gy/dose) on every alternate day for a total of 5 doses. Tumor volume was determined twice every week till the end of study. Radiation alone did not affect the tumor volume; however, animals treated with IRL-1620 followed by radiation produced a significant (64%) reduction in tumor volume. Survival of mice improved from 0/10 at 56 days after tumor inoculation in vehicle plus radiation group to 6/10 at 70 days in IRL-1620 (9 nmol/kg) plus radiation group. It is concluded that IRL-1620 improves the efficacy of radiation treatment in tumor bearing mice. (These findings have been earlier presented as an abstract ).

Antiproliferative and antioxidant activity of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) leaves in Dalton′s Lymphoma Ascites transplanted mice

Objective:The present investigation was performed to evaluate the antiproliferative and antioxidant activity of Aegle marmelos leaves in Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA)-bearing mice.Materials and Methods:The DLA cells maintained in vivo in Swiss albino mice were used for developing ascitic tumor in mice by intraperitoneal transplantation. The standardized 50% ethanolic extract of A. marmelos leaves (AMEE) was administered intraperitoneally in dose levels 200 and 400 mg/kg, after 24 hours of tumor inoculation in mice for two weeks.Results:The AMEE treatment significantly prevented (P<0.001) the increase in body weight due to tumor cell growth and increased the mean survival time of the tumor-bearing mice as compared to the untreated DLA control mice. The treatment of DLA-bearing mice brought down the Alanine Aminotransferase (ALAT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (ASAT), and alkaline phosphatase to normal levels. The extract decreased the levels of hepatic lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of hepatic antioxidants Glutathione, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and catalase. All the changes observed with AMEE treatment were dose dependent.Conclusion:The hydroalcoholic extract of A. marmelos exhibits strong antitumor and antioxidant activities in DLA-bearing mice.

Antitumor Activity of a Polysaccharide−Protein Complex Isolated from a Wood-Rotting Polypore Macro Fungus Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat

A protein-bound, water-soluble polysaccharide-protein complex was isolated from a medicinal mushroom, Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat (PPC-Pr). The isolation was achieved by hot water extraction, filtration, solvent precipitation, dialysis, and freeze-drying. The proximate analysis showed that PPC-Pr comprised 54.8% polysaccharide and 28.6% protein. The molecular weight of the compound was determined by gel filtration using a Sephadex G 100. The molecular weight of PPC-Pr was approximately 1,200,000 D. The thin-layer chromatography analysis of PPC-Pr after acid hydrolysis with trifluroacetic acid showed that it was composed of glucose as the only monosaccharide unit. The amino acid profile analysis of PPC-Pr revealed that it contained large amounts of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, glycine, and serine. Thus, the results indicated that PPC-Pr is a glucan-protein complex. The PPC-Pr did not show in vitro cytotoxic activity against Dalton's lymphoma ascites and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cell lines. The PPC-Pr was found to be effective in increasing the life span of ascites tumors induced by Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cell line in mice. PPC-Pr also was found to have significant preventive and curative effects on solid tumors induced by the Dalton's lymphoma ascites cell line. The experimental results thus indicated that protein-bound polysaccharide (PPC-Pr) isolated from P. rimosus possessed profound antitumor activity. The findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of this compound as an antitumor agent.

ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Pharmacological Studies on a Cyclooligopeptide from Marine Bacteria.

AbstractThe title compound (I) exhibits cytotoxic, antifungal and antihelmintic activity against Dalton′s Lymphoma Ascites and Ehrlich′s Ascites carcinoma cell lines, pathogenic dermatophytes and earthworms.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Investigation of Segetalin C as a Novel Antifungal and Cytotoxic Agent

In present study, a natural phenylalanine-rich cycloheptapeptide segetalin C (compound VIII) was synthesized by coupling and cyclization of peptide units Boc-gly-L-leu-L-his-OH and L-Phe-L-alaL-phe-L-pro-OMe and examined for different bioactivities. The structure of compound VIII was elucidated by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectral data and elemental analysis. It was demonstrated that the newly synthesized cyclopeptide has good activity against pathogenic fungi Candida albicans and dermatophytes, in addition to high cytotoxicityagainst Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell lines with CTC50 values of 3.35 and 5.72 micromol/L.

Cytotoxic effect of Green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Melia azedarach against in vitro HeLa cell lines and lymphoma mice model

This communication explains the biosynthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Melia azedarach and its cytotoxicity against in vitro HeLa cells and in vivo Dalton's ascites lymphoma (DAL) mice model. The AgNPs synthesis was determined by UV–visible spectrum and it was further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Zeta potential analysis revealed stable AgNPs at −24.9 mV. UV visible spectrum indicated an absorption peak at 436 nm which reflects its specific Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). Biosynthesized AgNPs were predominantly cubical and spherical with an average particle size of 78 nm approximately as observed through SEM and DLS analysis, respectively. Cytotoxicity of biosynthesized AgNPs against in vitro Human epithelial carcinoma cell line (HeLa) showed a dose–response activity. Lethal dose (LD 50) value was found to be 300 μg/mL of AgNPs against HeLa cell line. Cytotoxicity against normal continuous cell line human breast lactating, donor 100 (HBL 100) was found only in increased concentration of both AgNPs and 5-FU. In addition, in vivo DAL mice model showed significant increase in life span, induction of apoptosis was evidenced by acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO and EB) staining.

PLoss of heterozygosity (LOH) of deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene and predisposition to colorectal cancer: Significant association in colorectal cancer patients of Kashmir

Ethanolic herbal extract residue of the seeds of Annona squamosa Linn. were tested against Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) tumour cells. Then its effect on the increased lifespan of mice with DLA tumour cells was studied. At high and low dosages, it exhibited 66.67 and 56.25% increase in the lifespan. Percentage of haemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) counts of treated were higher than that of tumour bearing mice. The white blood cell (WBC) counts of treated were lower than that of tumour bearing mice. This is a good index of tumour recovery. Further studies were focused on mice induced with solid tumour to record the tumour volume and lifespan. It is learnt from the UV-Vis, IR, 1H and13C NMR spectra analyses that annoglacin-B, an acetogenin, present in the extract residue of A. squamosa may be responsible for the biological activity. Key words: Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).

Preliminary evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity of Premna herbacea Roxb. in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model and Dalton's lymphoma ascites model

In the present study, the root nodules of Premna herbacea Roxb. (PH) was investigated for its in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity. Two extracts, aqueous and alcoholic; two fractions of alcoholic extract, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity by brine shrimp lethality (BSL) assay, trypan blue exclusion assay and MTT assay. Alcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction were found to be the most effective in BSL assay, trypan blue exclusion assay. In vivo antitumor activity was screened in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model and the Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) model. The extracts and the fractions were tested at two dosages (250 and 500 mg/kg) by intraperitoneally (i.p.) route on every alternate day upto 13th day. Cisplatin was used as positive control in both studies in single dose (day 1) 3.5 mg/kg by i.p. route. In EAC model, ascites tumor was induced by inoculating 2.5 million of EAC cells i.p. alcoholic extract at 500 mg/kg was the most effective in elevating MST, reduction in body weight in EAC induced tumor. Only the effective extract i.e., alcoholic extract were studied for hematological and antioxidant parameter. It showed a restoring effect on altered hematological parameters and a significant improvement in biochemical parameters at 250 mg/kg dose of alcoholic extract. These results explain the toxicity of 500 mg/kg might be high. In the Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) model, solid tumor was developed by i.m. injection of 1 million DLA cells. Both the extracts and the fractions possessed potent antitumor activity against solid tumor models by significantly reducing the solid tumor weight and volume.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Studies on a Cyclooligopeptide from Marine Bacteria

AbstractA natural proline‐rich tetrapeptide cyclo‐prolyl‐leucyl‐prolyl‐phenylalanyl was prepared employing solution‐phase method of peptide synthesis through coupling of dipeptide fragments Boc‐l‐Pro‐l‐Leu‐OH and l‐Pro‐l‐Phe‐OMe which utilizes diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIPC) as coupling agent and N‐methylmorpholine (NMM) as the base. Deprotection of linear tetrapeptide unit followed by its cyclization provided a cyclopeptide, identical in all aspects to the natural molecule. Pharmacological evaluation showed cytotoxic, antifungal and antihelmintic potential of synthesized peptide against Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell lines, pathogenic dermatophytes and earthworms.

Anticancer activity of aerial parts of Aerva lanata Linn Juss ex Schult against Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma

Background and AimTraditional medicine has a long history of serving people all over the world. In recent years, the use of traditional medicine information in cancer research received considerable interest. Aerva lanata Linn Juss has been used in traditional and folklore medicine for the treatment of cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methanol (known as MEAL) and aqueous extracts (known as AEAL) of the aerial parts of Aerva lanata Linn Juss against intraperitoneally injected Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma (DAL) cell lines in Swiss albino mice. Materials and methodsDAL cells were injected intraperitoneally (1×106cells/ml/mouse) to the mice. The MEAL and AEAL at a dose of 200mg/kg body weight were administered orally for 14 consecutive days to the tumor bearing group of animals. Derived parameters, haematological parameters, serum enzyme and lipid parameters were measured and compared to the cancer control group. 5-Flurouracil (20mg/kg) was used as a standard. ResultsBoth MEAL and AEAL decreased average increase in body weight, reduced the packed cell volume, viable tumor cell count and increased the life span of DAL treated mice and brought back the haematological parameters, serum enzyme and lipid profile near to normal values. All the values were found to be statistically significant with cancer control group at p<0.01. These observations are suggestive of the protective effect of extracts in Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma (DAL). ConclusionAll these findings enable to concluded that MEAL and AEAL possess a protective effect against DAL.

Enhanced photodynamic efficacy and efficient delivery of Rose Bengal using nanostructured poly(amidoamine) dendrimers: potential application in photodynamic therapy of cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment methodology whereby diseased cells and tissues are destroyed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) by using a combination of light and photosensitizers (PS). The medical application of Rose Bengal (RB), photosensitizer with very good ROS generation capability, is limited due to its intrinsic toxicity and insufficient lipophilicity. In this report, we evaluate the potential of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers in delivering RB and its phototoxic efficiency towards a model cancer cell line. The spherical, nanoscaled dendrimers could efficiently encapsulate RB and showed characteristic spectral responses. The controlled release property of dendrimer–RB formulation was clearly evident from the in vitro drug release study. ROS generation was confirmed in dendrimer–RB system upon white light illumination. Photosensitization of Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascite (DLA) cells incubated with dendrimer–RB formulation caused remarkable photocytotoxicity. Importantly, the use of dendrimer-based delivery system reduced the dark toxicity of RB.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12645-011-0019-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Induction of Apoptosis of Tumor Cells by Some Potentiated Homeopathic Drugs

Homoeopathic medicines treat diseases, including cancer, using ultradiluted preparations. Earlier studies indicated that homoeopathic medicines are cytotoxic to tumor cells and reduced animal tumors. However, the mechanism of homoeopathic medicines at the cellular level is not known. The following drugs were used in the study: Ruta 200C, Carcinosinum 200C, Hydrastis 200C, Thuja 200C, and Thuja 1M. These drugs were tested for their ability to induce apoptosis as seen by morphology, DNA laddering, expression of genes related to apoptosis, and TUNEL assay. Similarly, the effect of homoeopathic medicines on apoptosis was measured by microarray analysis. Activity of Ruta 200C was compared with that of the mother tincture. Ruta 200C produced morphological changes in the Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor cells and induced DNA laddering. Carcinosinum 200C increased apoptotic gene p53 and Ruta 200C decreased antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. Administration of potentiated homoeopathic drugs to tumor-bearing mice induced TUNEL-positive cells in the tumor, showing increased apoptosis of tumor cells. Microarray analysis of cells treated with homoeopathic drugs indicated that many enzymes related to apoptosis were increased by homoeopathic drugs. These data indicate that apoptosis is one of the mechanisms of tumor reduction of homeopathic drugs. A comparison of potentiated drugs with their mother tincture indicated that the potentiated drugs have biological activity similar to that of their mother tincture in spite of ultradilution.

Induction of apoptosis of azurin synthesized from P. aeruginosa MTCC 2453 against Dalton's lymphoma ascites model

Azurin derived from P. aeruginosa MTCC 2453 were reported to be an important modulator in cancer regression which leads it to develop as a therapeutic drugs. Earlier studies reported that azurin derived from P. aeruginosa and other organisms, showed in vitro and in vivo antitumor properties by the induction of apoptosis. The present study was premeditated to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of azurin from P. aeruginosa MTCC 2453 in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) mice model. The acute toxicity assay of azurin showed the 200 μg/kg as sublethal doses in normal mice. The acute toxicity like body weight, peripheral blood cell count, lympho-hematological and biochemical parameters remained unaffected till 200 μg/kg body weight of azurin. The growth inhibitory properties of azurin against in vivo DL model were vastly significant with its sublethal doses. We found that the DL cells survival rate percentage was 29.69, 64.6 and 88.79% in 50, 100 and 200 μg/kg body weight of azurin, respectively. Investigations of the growth inhibitory mechanism in DL cells were exposed by nuclear fragmentation, and the increased accumulation of DL cells in the sub–G 0/G 1 phases in cell cycle analysis are indications of apoptosis. Further, the cause of apoptosis was revealed by Western blot which showed the reduction in the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, the activation of caspases-3 through the release of cytochrome c in DL cells. The survival rate of tumor bearing DL mice treated with azurin analyzed by Kaplan Meir method showed an effective antitumor response as with a dose of 200 μg/kg body weight (an 94.19% increase in life span [ILS] %).

Synthesis, characterisation and biocompatibility of surface-functionalised gold nanoparticles

Understanding and controlling the interactions between nanoparticles and living cells are of great importance in the diagnosis and therapeutic applications of nanosized materials. This article describes the synthesis, characterisation and interactions of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with different in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Preliminary cytotoxicity studies were carried out in tumour ascites (Dalton's lymphoma ascites and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma) and normal peritoneal cells for different concentrations and it was found that AuNPs did not cause any cell death or morphological changes even at 100 µM concentrations. The tissue distribution and toxicity of intravenously administered AuNPs were investigated in mice because of the fundamental importance of obtaining information about the localisation and biocompatibility of this material. Tissue distribution of AuNPs was studied in normal as well as skin tumour-induced Swiss albino mice using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometer and transmission electron microscopy. Acute cytotoxicity and histopathology were carried out for toxicity evaluation in AuNP-injected normal mice and found that AuNPs did not cause any significant metabolic change. The health and behaviour of animals were normal throughout the study. The biocompatibility assessment of AuNPs both in vitro and in vivo confirmed that triethylene glycol-functionalised AuNPs are compatible to the biological system and can be used as a safe material for various biological applications.