Calixarene Coated Gold Nanoparticles as a Novel Therapeutic Agent

Abstract In the current study, gold nanoparticles ( AuC 6 NPs and AuC 8 NPs ) were prepared through sodium borohydride reduction method by using Calix[ 6 ]rene and Calix[ 8] rene as a stabilizing agents. The synthesized AuNPs were screened for cytotoxic, phytotoxic, antifungal and antibacterial activities. The fabricated AuNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and FTIR spectroscopy. Antibacterial activities of the AuNPs were tested against E. coli and S. aureus. The AuC 6 NPs were found to be effective against the growth of gram positive bacteria and inhibited the growth of S. aureus. AuC 6 NPs interact with bacterial cell and damaged cell membrane. Roughness of the bacterial surface and membrane rupture can be clearly observed by AFM images. The AuNPs possess insignificant antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Moreover , AuC 8 NPs have significant phytotoxicity and moderate cytotoxicity.