Au nanoparticles adorned chitosan-modified magnetic nanocomposite: An investigation towards its antioxidant and anti-hepatocarcinoma activity in vitro

Abstract

Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide and non-toxic bioactive polymer with a wide variety of applications due to its functional properties such as ease of modification and biodegradability. In this study, a green protocol for synthesis of Au nanoparticles (NPs) supported on chitosan-encapsulated magnetic Fe3O4 NP is described. The morphological and physicochemical features of the material were determined using several advanced techniques like Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), Vibrating sample Magnetometer (VSM) and elemental mapping. The average diameter of the NPs was approximately 15–25 nm. In addition, the Fe3O@CS-GA/Au nanocomposite was engaged in biological assays like study of anti-oxidant properties by DPPH mediated free radical scavenging test using BHT as a reference molecule. Thereafter, on having a significant IC50 value in radical scavenging assay, we extended the bio-application of the desired nanocomposite in anticancer study of HepG2 liver cancer cell line in-vitro conditions following MTT assay. The cell viability of malignant liver cell line reduced dose-dependently in the presence of Fe3O4@CS-GA/Au nanocomposite. As a result, synthesized stable Fe3O@CS-GA/Au nanocomposite show more significant anticancer activity against HepG2 cells at 161.25 µg concentration of NPs without significant toxicity against normal cell line. The recent results suggest that Fe3O4@CS-GA/Au nanocomposite have a suitable anticancer activity against liver cell lines.