Green synthesis of glucose-coated gold nanoparticles for improving radiosensitivity in human U87 glioblastoma cell line

Surgery and radiation therapy are the most important known treatments for glioblastoma, which is known as the most malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Numerous studies have proven the effect of different gold nanoparticles in improving radiation sensitivity. But there is still a need for nanoparticles with suitable size and higher sensitivity. Hence, the present study aimed to prepare optimized glucose-coated gold nanoparticles (Glu-GNPs) for improving radiosensitivity against U87 glioblastoma cells.

Firstly, Glu-GNPs were synthesized and then their physiochemical characterizations were assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cytotoxicity of Glu-GNPs was evaluated by MTT assay in U87 and NIH-3T3 cell lines. Additionally, the colony formation assay, which is known as the gold standard test, was used to evaluate the radiosensitivity effect of Glu-GNPs on U87 cells.

The characterization results showed that Glu-GNPs had a size of 50.3 nm and negative zeta potential of -13.8 mV. Cytotoxicity results revealed that treatment with Glu-GNPs significantly inhibited the proliferation of U87 cells. We found that Glu-GNPs at a concentration of 10 μg/ml were not-toxic for U87 cells. Moreover, the colony formation assay results showed that Glu-GNPs significantly increased the effect of radiation and caused U87 cancer cell death at a non-toxic concentration of 10 μg/ml.

Taken together, the Glu-GNPs, with a size of 50.3 nm, increased radiosensitivity and caused cell death at a concentration of 10 µg/ml in U87 glioblastoma cells and deserve further in vitro and in vivo investigations.