Research Gist
This laboratory study compared the cellular behaviour of traditional incinerated gold particles from Swarna Bhasma with chemically synthesized, citrate-coated gold nanoparticles. The particles were tested in cancerous HeLa cells and non-cancerous HFF-1 human fibroblasts.
Swarna Bhasma contained approximately 60 nm gold crystallites assembled into much larger, irregular aggregates. Although fewer cells contained these particles than synthesized gold nanoparticles, some entered cells and were detected in vesicles, the cytosol and occasionally the nucleus. Their route of entry appeared to depend on particle size. The study helps explain how differently prepared gold particles interact with cells, but it does not demonstrate absorption, safety or therapeutic effectiveness in humans.
Key Learnings
- Swarna Bhasma particles were composed of approximately 60 nm crystallites, but these formed irregular aggregates with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 4711.7 nm.
- The chemically synthesized citrate-capped gold nanoparticles had a calculated average diameter of approximately 32 nm.
- Fewer cells appeared to contain incinerated gold particles than synthesized gold nanoparticles, although some large Swarna Bhasma aggregates still entered the cells.
- Smaller incinerated particles accumulated mainly in membrane-bound vesicles, while larger particles were also found in vacuoles, the cytosol and occasionally the nucleus.
- Inhibitor experiments suggested that smaller particles entered through clathrin-dependent endocytosis, whereas larger aggregates relied more on macropinocytosis.
- Nuclear localisation appeared to occur randomly during cell division, when the nuclear envelope temporarily broke down, rather than through active nuclear targeting.
- No obvious cell death was observed in either cell line for up to one week, but this in-vitro observation does not establish clinical safety. Swarna Bhasma composition can also vary between preparations and manufacturers.
