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Updated: May 18, 2026

Protein Kinase C-delta Inhibitor Peptide Formulation using Gold Nanoparticles
Published on: March 9, 2019
Cyclic peptide-capped gold nanoparticles as drug delivery systems
Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi1, Dindyal Mandal, Rakesh K Tiwari
1Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, 7 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881, United States.
Cyclic peptide-capped gold nanoparticles ([WR](n)-AuNPs) were developed as drug delivery agents. These nanoparticles significantly enhanced the cellular uptake and delivery of antiviral and anticancer drugs.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Development of effective drug delivery systems is crucial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer unique properties for biomedical applications, including drug delivery.
- Cyclic peptides present potential as capping agents for nanoparticle synthesis and functionalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate cyclic peptide-capped gold nanoparticles (CP-AuNPs) as simultaneous reducing and capping agents.
- To investigate the potential of CP-AuNPs for enhancing the cellular delivery of antiviral and anticancer agents.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of cyclic peptides containing alternating arginine and tryptophan residues ([WR](n), n=3-5).
- Formation of CP-AuNPs via direct dissolution of cyclic peptides in chloroaurate solutions.
- Evaluation of cellular delivery and uptake using fluorescence-labeled drugs, differential interference contrast microscopy, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy in cancer cell lines (SK-OV-3, CCRF-CEM).
Main Results:
- Cyclic peptides [WR](n) successfully formed CP-AuNPs through the reducing activity of tryptophan and the charge attraction of arginine.
- CP-AuNPs significantly enhanced the cellular delivery of fluorescence-labeled lamivudine compared to the drug alone.
- Cellular uptake of lamivudine, emtricitabine, and stavudine was markedly increased in SK-OV-3 cells with [WR](4)-AuNPs, showing 12-15 times higher uptake.
- The presence of [WR](4)-AuNPs improved doxorubicin retention and nuclear localization in SK-OV-3 cells after 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Cyclic peptide-capped gold nanoparticles ([WR](n)-AuNPs) are effective for the synthesis of functionalized nanoparticles.
- These CP-AuNPs demonstrate significant potential as noncovalent prodrugs for enhanced delivery of antiviral and anticancer agents.
- The developed nanoparticle system offers a promising strategy for improving drug efficacy and targeting in cancer and antiviral therapies.
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