Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Effect on Viability of Human Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells

Gold nanoparticles recently showed great interest for many uses including food, drug and medical applications. The algae Undaria sp. well known as wakame in South Asia are considered to be large edible brown algae. It provides nutritious source of dietary fiber, vitamin Bs and mineral. The present study aimed to investigate the use of Undaria sp. for green synthesis of metallic gold nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for physicochemical properties including size measurement and tested in vitro for their effect on viability of human non-small lung cancer H-460 cell line using the MTT assay. From the results, brown algae were able to chemically form nanoparticles with chloroauric acid solution possibly due to the sulphated polysaccharides found in algae. The particle sizes were found to be approximately 10 nm. The gold nanoparticles stabilized by the algae could decrease the cancer cell viability. However, the properties and biological activity of nanoparticles seemed to depend upon reaction time and temperature. Conclusively, gold nanoparticles synthesized and stabilized by the algae could decrease the cancer cell viability, thus indicating the potential of such nanoparticles for further study for anticancer activity.