Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles coated doxorubicin liposomes using procyanidins for light–controlled drug release

Abstract For the controlled drug release delivery system, gold nanomaterials have received considerable attention for their photothermal effect in medical applications. The exploration of green and facile methods for constructing efficient gold based nanomaterials to control drug release is greatly needed. Hence, we aim to prepare procyanidins (PCs) reduced gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated doxorubicin (DOX) liposomes (DOX–PCs–Lips@AuNPs), of which PCs were modified on phosphatidylcholine and acted as both reductant and stabilizer during the synthesis of AuNPs. As a result, AuNPs were successfully synthesized by PCs, so as to avoid the use of traditional reductants. The as prepared DOX–PCs–Lips@AuNPs were proved to have spherical shape, good photothermal property and controlled drug release behavior after 808 nm laser irradiation. As a green and facile synthesized nanomaterial, DOX–PCs–Lips@AuNPs would consolidate the medical application of AuNPs.