title: Facile synthesis of multifunctional germanium nanoparticles as a carrier of quercetin to achieve enhanced biological activity.
abstract: A simple method for preparing quercetin surface-functionalized germanium nanoparticles (Qu-GeNPs) with enhanced antioxidant and anticancer activity is reported. Spherical germanium nanoparticles (GeNPs) were capped by quercetin (Qu) with a mean particle size of approximately 33 nm and were characterized by TEM, AFM, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD measurements. The in vitro drug release of Qu from the Qu-GeNPs indicated that Qu could principally be distributed around tumor tissues rather than in the normal section and Qu-GeNPs were internalized by MCF-7 cells. Their biological activity test results indicated that these Qu-GeNPs possessed stronger hydroxyl-scavenging effects and proliferative inhibition effect on MCF-7 cancer cells than quercetin, thus suggesting that the strategy to use GeNPs as a carrier of Qu could be an efficient way to achieve enhanced antioxidant and anticancer activity. In addition, Qu-GeNPs possessed a high apoptotic induction effect in cancer cells, especially in high dosages, and could arrest MCF-7 cells in the S phase.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 (P.R. China), Fax: (+86) 2085223039.
authors: Yan-Jie
authors: YJ
authors: Guo
authors: Fen
authors: F
authors: Yang
authors: Lu
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Jiang
authors: J
authors: Pi
authors: Ji-Ye
authors: JY
authors: Cai
authors: Pei-Hui
authors: PH
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005857:Germanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011794:Quercetin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005857:Germanium; D011794:Quercetin
keywords: antitumor agents; drug delivery; germanium; nanoparticles; quercetin