Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using therapeutic enzyme: in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy study

The present contribution deals with the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using a therapeutic enzyme serratiopeptidase followed by the in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation to demonstrate the retention of therapeutic activity of the enzyme. Here, gold nanoparticles were synthesized at 25 degrees C and physiological pH 7. The formation of serratiopeptidase reduced gold nanoparticles was confirmed by UV visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Proteolytic enzyme activity assay revealed that the composite contained 64% enzyme capped on AuNps while the remaining 36% enzyme remained in the supernatant. Further, retention of enzymatic activity of these nanoparticles was confirmed by in-vitro casein agar plate method as well as by in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity performed in experimental animals. Six month stability study at ambient temperature (25 degrees C) revealed that gold nanoparticles were stable as indicated by no shift in the surface plasmon band. In conclusion, physiological condition is an important process condition for controlled synthesis of highly stable gold nanoparticle with respect to retention of enzymatic activity. Also use of gold nanoparticles as a carrier for serratiopeptidase led to an improved anti-inflammatory response.