Table 3.
AuNPs responsive to GSH.
| Structure and Size before GSH Exposure | Structure and Size after GSH Exposure | In Vitro Effects | In Vivo Effects | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Core 27.0 ± 3 nm–27.6 ± 3 nm |
 |
Release of β-lapachone by GSH. Enhanced cellular uptake by anti-EGFR ligand. Enhanced apoptosis than free β-lapachone (A549 cells). |
None | [49] |
 20–40 nm |
 |
Enhanced cellular uptake on HeLa, A549, and MG63 cell lines. Higher cytotoxicity on HeLa cells as compared with NIH3T3 cells. | None | [50] |
 Core 2 nm |
 |
Enhanced cellular uptake by TTMA, and HSBDP release by GSH (HepG2 cells). | None | [51] |
 3 nm |
 |
Improved cytotoxicity as compared with free chemo agent (HeLa cells). | None | [52] |
 Core 31 nm PhA-heparin/AuNP 40 nm |
 |
Higher cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of PhA-heparin/AuNP as compared with PhA (A549 cells, 670 nm laser source). | Prolonged circulation, improved tumor specificity, reduced tumor size (15 days) (A549 xenograft on SKH1 nude mice). | [53] |
 20 nm uPIC-AuNP 38 nm |
 |
Reduced luciferase activity from gene silencing by siRNA delivery to luciferase-expressing HeLa (HeLa-Luc) cells. | Significant luciferase silencing on HeLa-Luc xenograft. | [54] |
 Size varies according to different chemo agent AuNP:MTX 2.6 ± 0.7 nm |
 |
MTX and Au:MTX had similar cytotoxicity on THP-1cell line. | Au:MTX had better leukemia suppression than MTX in a murine xenotransplant model of primary human AML. | [55] |
 ~20 nm |
 |
AuNPs containing different chemo agent had drug release and SER intensities after cellular uptake (HeLa cells). | None | [56] |
 Size of whole NP varied according to formulation |
 |
Au-PF-PTX-micelles had higher cytotoxicity on U87 cells pretreated with GSH monoester. | PK and biodistribution studied on BALB/C mice. Au-PF-PTX-micelles preferentially accumulated in spleen and liver. | [57] |
uPIC, short interfering RNA-loaded unimer polyion complex; MTX, methotrexate; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; TTMA, tetra(ethylene glycol)-lyated cationic ligand; HSBDP, thiolated Bodipy dye; PhA, pheophorbide A; siRNA, short interfering RNA; SER, surface-enhanced Raman scattering; PF-PTX, paclitaxel loaded Pluronic micelles; and PK, pharmacokinetics.