Nanoparticles, especially gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have gained increasing interest in biomedical applications. Used for disease prevention, diagnosis and therapies, its significant advantages in therapeutic efficacy and safety have been the main target of interest. Its application in immune system prevention, stability in physiological environments and cell membranes, low toxicity and optimal bioperformances are critical to the success of engineered nanomaterials. Its unique optical properties are great attractors. Recently, several physical and chemical methods for coating these NPs have been widely used. Biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, peptides, antibodies, proteins, carbohydrates and biopolymers, among others, have been widely used in coatings of Au NPs for various biomedical applications, thus increasing their biocompatibility while maintaining their biological functions. This review mainly presents a general and representative view of the different types of coatings and Au NP functionalization using various biomolecules, strategies and functionalization mechanisms.

New forms of cancer treatment, which are effective, have simple manufacturing processes, and easily transportable, are of the utmost necessity. In this work, a methodology for the synthesis of radioactive Gold-198 nanoparticles without the use of surfactants was described. The nuclear activated Gold-198 foils were transformed into H¹⁹⁸AuCl₄ by dissolution using aqua regia, following a set of steps in a specially designed leak-tight setup. Gold-198 nanoparticles were synthesized using a citrate reduction stabilized with PEG. In addition, TEM results for the non-radioactive product presented an average size of 11.0 nm. The DLS and results for the radioactive ¹⁹⁸AuNPs presented an average size of 8.7 nm. Moreover, the DLS results for the PEG-¹⁹⁸AuNPs presented a 32.6 nm average size. Cell line tests showed no cytotoxic effect in any period and the concentrations were evaluated. Furthermore, in vivo testing showed a high biological uptake in the tumor and a cancer growth arrest.

Prostate cancer, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men, requires safer and more effective therapeutic approaches. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising strategy to optimize therapeutic agent distribution and reduce adverse effects of conventional treatments. This study presents the development and evaluation of radioactive gold nanoparticles (198AuNPs) coated with gum arabic (GA) for prostate cancer treatment. While BSA-coated nanoparticles have been previously studied by our group, demonstrating therapeutic effectiveness, stability, and biocompatibility, the current work focuses exclusively on the GA formulation, which features a distinct synthesis protocol. In vitro and in vivo assays with 198AuNPs-GA demonstrated good stability, low toxicity in nontumor cells, tumor retention, and reduced tumor growth in animal models. References to BSA are included only for contextual comparison. These findings support the feasibility of gum arabic-coated 198AuNPs and offer new insights for enhancing future clinical strategies.

Food irradiation is approved for use in more than 60 countries for applications and purposes in a wide variety of foods, being an effective and safe method for preservation and long-term storage. 2-Alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) are the only known radiolytic products generated from foods that contain fatty acids (Triglycerides) when irradiated. The acids analyzed in this study are palmitic and stearic, which when irradiated form 2-Dodecylcyclobutanones (2-dDCB) and 2-Tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-tDCB). Part of the 2-ACBs ingested is excreted through feces and part is deposited in adipose tissues. In vitro studies so far have been only in colon cells. The work used a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) since the accumulation of fat in this organ is quite common. Micronucleus test was selected to evaluate possible genotoxic effects of 2-dDCB and 2-tDCB compounds when exposed to high concentrations (447, 1422 and 2235 μM) for 4 and 24 hours. Tests were performed in quadriplicates using flow cytometric analysis. None detectable genotoxic damage was observed after 4 hours of exposure to the compounds, and cytotoxic effects were only significant at the highest concentration (2235 μM) of 2-dDCB. After 24 hours of exposure, slight genotoxic damage was observed at all concentrations evaluated, and cytotoxic effects were only present when exposed to compound 2-tDCB. Although there is a genotoxic and cytotoxic effect in some of the situations tested, the two compounds predominantly induced proliferation reduction effects of this hepatic tumor cell line.