Facile synthesis of multifunctional germanium nanoparticles as a carrier of quercetin to achieve enhanced biological activity

Chem Asian J. 2014 Aug;9(8):2272-80. doi: 10.1002/asia.201402227. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

Abstract

A simple method for preparing quercetin surface-functionalized germanium nanoparticles (Qu-GeNPs) with enhanced antioxidant and anticancer activity is reported. Spherical germanium nanoparticles (GeNPs) were capped by quercetin (Qu) with a mean particle size of approximately 33 nm and were characterized by TEM, AFM, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD measurements. The in vitro drug release of Qu from the Qu-GeNPs indicated that Qu could principally be distributed around tumor tissues rather than in the normal section and Qu-GeNPs were internalized by MCF-7 cells. Their biological activity test results indicated that these Qu-GeNPs possessed stronger hydroxyl-scavenging effects and proliferative inhibition effect on MCF-7 cancer cells than quercetin, thus suggesting that the strategy to use GeNPs as a carrier of Qu could be an efficient way to achieve enhanced antioxidant and anticancer activity. In addition, Qu-GeNPs possessed a high apoptotic induction effect in cancer cells, especially in high dosages, and could arrest MCF-7 cells in the S phase.

Keywords: antitumor agents; drug delivery; germanium; nanoparticles; quercetin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Germanium / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Quercetin / administration & dosage*
  • Quercetin / pharmacology
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Germanium
  • Quercetin