The Effect of Ultrasound Therapy in the Presence of Combined Zinc Oxide/Gold Nanocomposite on Melanoma Cell Line

Zinc oxide nanoparticles can produce free radicals due to their piezoelectric properties, which are needed for cancer treatment. Also, using ultrasound waves in combination with zinc oxide nanoparticles can help increase the response to sonodynamic therapy by synergistically producing free radicals. On the other hand, with gold nanoparticles as a place for cavitation in the ultrasound field, the intensity threshold required for cavitation is reduced, reducing the damage to normal cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sonodynamic therapy of melanoma with zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite as a sonosensitizer.

Chemical dosimetry was used to determine the level of free radicals produced due to combined zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite with and without ultrasound radiation. Also, measuring the survival and apoptosis rate in the cultured melanoma cells was done in-vitro by MTT and flow cytometry tests, respectively.

With the increase in the production of free radicals, the survival percentage of melanoma cells treated with combined zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite and ultrasound waves at an intensity of 2 W/cm2 showed the most significant decrease (by 20%) which was significantly different from the control group. Also, the apoptosis level caused by sonodynamic therapy with zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite increased significantly.

Using ultrasound waves in combination with zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite can play an influential role in improving the response of melanoma to treatment by raising the level of free radicals and reducing the general toxicity for non-cancerous cells by lowering the cavitation threshold.