Shaping and Cellular Uptake of Folic Acid Coated Gold and Magnetite Nanoparticles

Background: Gold and Iron Oxide nanoparticles NPs play as nanocarriers for a specific drug delivery and contrast agents. Intercellular uptake of these nanoparticles and targeting to individual cell and sub-cellular compartment is essential. Objective: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the intracellular uptake of these NPs to specific tumor cells in vitro conjugated with folic acid with a goal of enhancing the efficiency of specific targeting to tumor cells. Methods: We synthesized the nanoparticles by a chemical method and characterized by UV-Visible, FTIR, XRD, and TEM. Results & Conclusion: The results revealed the conjugation of Gold and Iron Oxide nanoparticles with folic acid increased the intercellular uptake with high percent compared to non- conjugated nanoparticles.