Synthesis of hybrid AuFe nanoparticles by photoreduction and methyl aminoluvinate

Abstract

The nanohybrid gold/iron (AuFe) system is particularly interesting for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy (PDT) mainly due to its magnetic combined to the plasmonic properties. In this study, we aimed to synthesize nanohybrids to be used as a vehicle to deliver Methyl Aminoluvinate (MAL) for selective and efficient PDT. MAL is a prodrug that is metabolized to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), photosensitizer in PDT. The nanohybrids were synthesized by photoreduction of solutions containing iron powder, polyethylene glycol (PEG), chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and MAL as a reducing agent in water solution. The products were characterized by UV-Vis, zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles had the optical properties of metallic nanoparticles and the magnetic properties of iron nanoparticles. Their characteristic absorption bands, in the visible light range, became become broader and red‐shifted in the presence of iron nanoparticles. Cell viability of cancer cell lines in the presence of nanohybrids studies were performed.