Background Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to inhibit the development of induced neoplasms. Our previous research demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of sulindac against melanoma cells is comparable to dacarbazine, the drug used in chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of sulindac cytotoxicity on COLO 829 and C32 cell lines. Methods The influence of sundilac on the activity of selected enzymes of the antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and the content of hydrogen peroxide as well as the level of proteins initiating (p53, Bax) and inhibiting (Bcl-2) apoptosis were measured in melanoma cells. Results In melanotic melanoma cells, sulindac increased the activity of SOD and the content of H2O2 but decreased the activity of CAT and GPx. The level of p53 and Bax proteins rose but the content of Bcl-2 protein was lowered. Similar results were observed for dacarbazine. In amelanotic melanoma cells, sulindac did not cause an increase in the activity of measured enzymes or any significant changes in the level of apoptotic proteins. Conclusion The cytotoxic effect of sulindac in the COLO 829 cell line is connected to disturbed redox homeostasis by changing the activity of SOD, CAT, GPx, and level of H2O2. Sulindac also induces apoptosis by changing the ratio of the pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic protein. The presented studies indicate the possibility of developing target therapy against melanotic melanoma using sulindac. Graphical abstract

Nanotechnology is a fast-growing field of science that dates back to the late 1950s. Nanoparticles can be divided into organic, inorganic, and carbon-based. An example of inorganic nanoparticles, in which relatively high hopes for the development of both pharmacy and medicine are placed, are gold nanoparticles. They possess beneficial properties, such as small size (ranging from several to several hundred nanometers), a large specific surface area to volume, and characteristic optical properties, as well they are relatively easy to synthesize with the ability to control the parameters of the final product to obtain desired sizes and shapes. Moreover, they exhibit high biocompatibility and low toxicity, which is especially important when administered internally (per os, i. v.). Several methods for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been described in the literature, including chemical, physical, and biological methods. Microorganisms such as fungi, plants, and algae are used to produce gold nanoparticles. Due to their particle size and ability to penetrate cell membranes, gold nanoparticles are being considered as drug carriers. Many attempts have been made to attach gold nanoparticles to drugs, focusing mainly on antimicrobial and anticancer drugs. Treatment with these drugs in combination with nanoparticles is more effective than applying free drugs without the carrier. AuNPs have also been used with great success in the photothermal therapy of cancer. Additionally, work is underway to use them in diagnostics to prepare flow assays, increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. Due to a large amount of scientific data on nanogold, this review focuses on presenting methods for obtaining gold nanoparticles and approximating their applications in areas of medical science.

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