Investigation of the Influence of Wound-Treatment-Relevant Buffer Systems on the Colloidal and Optical Properties of Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Biocompatible gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used in wound healing due to their radical scavenging activity. They shorten wound healing time by, for example, improving re-epithelialization and promoting the formation of new connective tissue. Another approach that promotes wound healing through cell proliferation while inhibiting bacterial growth is an acidic microenvironment, which can be achieved with acid-forming buffers. Accordingly, a combination of these two approaches appears promising and is the focus of the present study. Here, 18 nm and 56 nm gold NP (Au) were prepared with Turkevich reduction synthesis using design-of-experiments methodology, and the influence of pH and ionic strength on their behaviour was investigated. The citrate buffer had a pronounced effect on the stability of AuNPs due to the more complex intermolecular interactions, which was also confirmed by the changes in optical properties. In contrast, AuNPs dispersed in lactate and phosphate buffer were stable at therapeutically relevant ionic strength, regardless of their size. Simulation of the local pH distribution near the particle surface also showed a steep pH gradient for particles smaller than 100 nm. This suggests that the healing potential is further enhanced by a more acidic environment at the particle surface, making this strategy a promising approach.

STING signaling activation modulates macrophage polarization via CCL2 in radiation-induced lung injury

“…Finally, nanomaterials and their potential interactions with the STING signaling pathway have garnered a great deal of attention in biomedical research. Targeting cells and mitochondria in biomedical applications with green nanomaterials, also known as sustainable or eco-friendly nanomaterials, has emerged as a promising strategy [ 27 , 28 ]. David R Wilson, et al utilized biodegradable, poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticles to deliver cyclic dinucleotides to the cytosol and induced a log-fold improvement in potency in treating established B16 melanoma tumors in vivo when combined with PD-1 blocking antibody in comparison to free cyclic dinucleotides without nanoparticles [ 29 ].…”

Morphological Design and Synthesis of Nanoparticles

“…Improving the synthesis methods to generate biocompatible nanoparticles for use in wound healing applications is also a field of interest. This is demonstrated by the work of Selmani et al [ 4 ], which focuses on exploring improved synthetic methods of Au nanoparticles via the Turkevich method. This research explores the potential of Au nanoparticles to enhance wound healing through their radical scavenging activity, contributing to the development of innovative treatments.…”