Gemini pyridinium amphiphiles for the synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles for drug delivery.

HYPOTHESIS: Gemini pyridinium-based amphiphiles can play a triple role as: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesis facilitator, particle stabilizer and anion recognition centre. The so formed nanoparticles should be able to bind and release anionic drugs.

EXPERIMENTS: We describe (a) Synthesis, by a phase transfer method, of both new organic media and water soluble AuNPs using gemini-type surfactants based on bis-pyridinium salts as ligands, acting as transfer agents into organic media and also as nanoparticle stabilizers, (b) Examination of their stability in solution, (c) Chemical and physical characterization of the nanoparticles, (d) Toxicity data concerning both the bis-pyridinium ligands and the bis-pyridinium coated nanoparticles, and (e) Study of their ability for delivering anionic pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen and piroxicam.

FINDINGS: Pyridinium gemini-type surfactants show the ability to play multiple roles such as transfer agent and stabilizer, as well as ionophores: They are responsible for the preparation, stability, and delivery properties of these AuNPs, which gold core is stabilized by the anions present in the bis-pyridinium salts. The tetrahydropyridine resulting from the reduction of the bis-pyridinium salt is capable of reduce gold, due to its spontaneous oxidation to the corresponding pyridinium salt, leading to the formation of stable AuNPs.