Gallic acid-coated silver nanoparticles as perspective drug nanocarriers: bioanalytical study

The ability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to be used as drug nanocarriers has helped rapidly to invent novel strategies to treat diseases, such as cancer. The nanoparticles may offer a valuable tool to novel pH-sensitive drug delivery systems in the present scenario because of their undergoing mechanisms associated with the regulated dissolution, aggregation, and generation of oxygen radicals as well. These processes could be monitored by electrochemical (bio)sensors that are less money and time-consuming compared to other analytical approaches, however, with comparable analytical performance. In this paper, synthesized and microscopically characterized gallic acid-coated AgNPs (GA-AgNPs) are investigated using spectral and electrochemical methods. To investigate the Ag+ release, a 21-day ageing experiment is performed spectrophotometrically, finding that the peak maximum of GA-AgNPs spectra diminished by 24.5%. The highest Ag+ content was electrochemically determined in the supernatant solution after centrifugation (6.97 mu mol.L-1), while no significant concentration of silver ions in solution after redispersion was observed (1.26 mu mol.L-1). The interaction experiment indicates a stabilization of GA-AgNPs in the presence of long-chain dsDNA as well as a mutual electrostatic interaction with DNA sugar-phosphate backbone. This interaction mechanism is confirmed by FTIR analysis, showing a shift (1049 to 1061 cm(-1) and 913 to 964 cm(-1)) specific to DNA phosphate bands. Finally, doxorubicin-loaded GA-AgNPs are monitored for the specific drug release in the physiological and more reactive weakly acidic microenvironment. Hereby, electrochemical (bio)sensing of GA-AgNPs undergoing mechanisms shows a huge potential to be used for monitoring of drug delivery systems at cancer therapy.

Automated summary

The ability of silver nanoparticles to be used as drug nanocarriers in the treatment of diseases has been investigated. In this study, gallic acid-coated silver nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The nanoparticles showed regulated dissolution, aggregation, and generation of oxygen radicals. Electrochemical sensors were found to be effective in monitoring these processes. The nanoparticles also exhibited stability and electrostatic interaction with DNA. Finally, the drug release of doxorubicin-loaded silver nanoparticles was studied. The results showed potential for the use of electrochemical sensing in monitoring drug delivery systems in cancer therapy.