In vitro studies on radiosensitization effect of glucose capped gold nanoparticles in photon and ion irradiation of HeLa cells

Highlights: ► Glucose capped gold nanoparticles (Glu-AuNPs) are synthesized for internalization in HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells). ► Internalization of Glu-AuNPs in HeLa cells is confirmed by cross section TEM of cells. ► Irradiation (by C ion or γ-rays) of HeLa cells with internalized Glu-AuNPs results in enhanced radiosensitization. ► There is about 30% reduction in radiation dose for 90% cell killing of HeLa cells, when internalized by Glu-AuNPs. ► The enhanced radiosensitization due to Glu-AuNPs is of interest for researchers in nanobiotechnology and radiation biology. -- Abstract: Noble metal nanoparticles are of great interest due to their potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. In the present work, we synthesized glucose capped gold nanoparticle (Glu-AuNP) for internalization in the HeLa cell line (human cervix cancer cells). The capping of glucose on Au nanoparticle was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The Glu-AuNP did not show any toxicity to the HeLa cell. The γ-radiation and carbon ion irradiation of HeLa cell with and without Glu-AuNP were performed to evaluate radiosensitization effects. The study revealed a significant reduction in radiation dose for killing the HeLa cells with internalized Glu-AuNPs as compared to the HeLa cells without Glu-AuNP. The Glu-AuNP treatment resulted in enhancement of radiation effect as evident from increase in relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values for carbon ion irradiated HeLa cells