Antitumor activity of galactoxyloglucan-gold nanoparticles against murine ascites and solid carcinoma

Galactoxyloglucan polysaccharide (PST001), isolated from the seed kernels of Tamarindus indica (Ti), was used both as reducing and capping agent for the preparation of gold nanoparticles (PST-Gold) of 20 nm size. The present study evaluated the anticancer effects of the PST-Gold nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. The cytotoxicity was evaluated in the murine cancer cell lines, Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC). Galactoxyloglucan-gold nanoparticles (PST-Gold) not only retained the anticancer effects of PST001, but also showed enhanced cytotoxicity via induction of apoptosis even at lower doses and lesser incubation times. In vivo antitumor activity was tested in DLA and EAC murine ascites and EAC solid-tumor syngeneic mouse models. PST-Gold nanoparticles reduced tumor burden and increased median survival and life span significantly in both tumor models compared to the controls. The PST-Gold nanoparticles were very effective as a chemopreventive agent, showing the best overall response when administered prior to tumor induction. In the case of solid tumors, intratumoral administration of the PST-Gold nanoparticles yielded significant results with regard to survival and increment in lifespan as compared to intraperitoneal mode of drug administration. Further studies in higher animal models and in patients at high-risk for recurrence are warranted to fully explore and develop the potential of PST-Gold nanoconjugates as a chemopreventive and therapeutic anti-cancer agent.