Exploration of sub-cellular responses for the evaluation of the laser mediated tumor ablation via Raman spectroscopic platform using green synthesized gold nanostars

Abstract

Anisotropic gold nanoparticles with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can generate heat upon exposure to laser light, which can then be utilised for photothermal therapy (PTT) in cancer treatment. In this study, we report the use of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded immunomodulatory polysaccharide (PST001) coated anisotropic gold nanostars (AuNS@PST) as a theranostic carrier for photothermal-chemotherapy. AuNS@PST were prepared by green synthesis followed by doxorubicin encapsulation. The synthesized particles were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, DLS, FTIR and TEM. The heat dissipation of these nanoparticles was monitored in aqueous phantoms using 635 nm laser sources, which indicated the thermal rise from ambient temperature. The in vitro cytotoxicity analysis of AuNS@PST was done using the MTT assay in A549 cells. Significantly lower IC₅₀ value was observed for cells treated with DOX-loaded PST AuNSs when compared to DOX-alone treated cells. Similarly, DOX-loaded AuNS@PST had efficient photothermal-induced apoptosis exerted by the laser-irradiated nanoparticles. Changes in protein degradation and DNA fragmentation at the subcellular levels were observed in the Raman spectrum. Although supplementary perspectives are required in the proper investigation of laser-mediated cell death in cancer tissues, the current study discloses the emerging methodology to track apoptotic events in cancer tissues using the Raman scattering platform, even at the sub-cellular level.