PREPARATION OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES FUNCTIONALIZED WITH FOLIC ACID FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY IN OVARIAN CANCER CELLS

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery systems have emerged as powerful strategies for improving the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutic agents while reducing systemic toxicity. In this study, folic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (FA-AuNPs) were developed as a targeted delivery vehicle for folate receptor-positive ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3). Gold nanoparticles were synthesized via the Turkevich citrate reduction method, producing stable, monodisperse, spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 20 ± 2 nm. Functionalization with folic acid (FA) was achieved through EDC/NHS-mediated carbodiimide coupling, enabling specific targeting of cancer cells overexpressing folate receptors. UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed a characteristic plasmon resonance peak at 530 nm, confirming AuNP formation, while Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed uniform morphology. FTIR spectra showed absorption bands corresponding to C=O and N–H stretching, validating folate conjugation to the nanoparticle surface. The anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded onto FA-AuNPs with an 85 ± 3% loading efficiency, followed by sustained release over 48 hours in physiological media. Cellular uptake studies in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells demonstrated a 3.7-fold increase in internalization of FA-AuNPs compared to non-functionalized AuNPs. Furthermore, MTT assays revealed significantly enhanced cytotoxicity toward cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal fibroblasts. These results confirm that FA-functionalized AuNPs provide a biocompatible, stable, and receptor-specific nanocarrier system capable of enhancing targeted drug delivery and minimizing off-target side effects, offering substantial promise for the selective treatment of ovarian cancer.