Construction of folate-targeted delivery of polymer-coated gold nanoparticles: investigation of anticancer activity and apoptosis induction in parotid gland carcinoma

For targeted delivery in the cancer model, this work intends to construct nanoparticles (NPs) using folate (FA)-gemcitabine (GEM)-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-gold (Au) nanoparticles (GEM@FA/PVP@Au NPs). By precisely assembling the layer, we could construct gemcitabine-loaded FA-functionalized PVP@Au NPs. Various spectroscopical analyses were used and characterized with GEM@FA/PVP@Au NPs. Using MTT assay, wound migration assays, and morphological staining assays, we investigated the antimigratory and anticancer in vitro effects of NPs. To develop GEM@FA/PVP@Au NPs, gemcitabine (40 µg/mL) and folate conjugation onto PVP@Au NPs were added. The NPs demonstrated an 80% release of gemcitabine at acidic pH after their size and charge were incrementally raised by layer-by-layer assembly. Neither the human submandibular gland (HSG) cells and human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-4) cells showed anticancer activity at the concentrations studied for the NPs. In in vitro studies, they inhibited cell migration and had a high apoptosis ratio. The flow cytometry analysis reveals that fabricated nanoparticles effectively kill cancer cells in both cancer cells. These findings indicate the potential of folate-based tumor targeting using GEM/PVP@Au NPs as a safe and effective method for treating parotid gland cancer tumors.