Cytotoxicity and cellular internalization studies of biogenic gold nanotriangles in animal cell lines

Biogenic gold nanotriangles have been used in this study to understand their cytotoxicity and biocompatibility in animal cells. These gold nanotriangles were synthesized using the leaf extract of the lemon grass (Cymbopogan flexuosus) plant. Cancerous as well as non-cancerous cells were used to study their dose dependent viability on exposure to the gold nanotriangles. Additionally, it has been shown that gold nanotriangles are internalized inside the cells and are compartmentalized into the cytoplasm. Thus, it has been inferred that the biologically synthesized gold nanotriangles are indeed biocompatible and, thus, are promising candidates as scaffolds for delivery of drug, genes, or growth factors inside the cells. Additionally, their unique optical properties make them a promising candidate for hyperthermic treatment of cancer. The AFM analysis of the cells treated with gold nanotriangles showed pits on their surface, which could be the probably point of entry of these nanotriangles into the cells.