Self-assembled gold nanoparticles for<i>in-vitro</i>inhibition of bovine viral diarrhea virus as surrogate model for HCV

Abstract

In these study, the antiviral activity and the in-vitro cytotoxic effect of functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPS) were explored, which were previously assigned to possess in-vitro antiviral properties towards Human Immuno-diffiecny virus, Vesicular Stomatitis virus. To investigate the antiviral potential of prepared GNPS against cytopathic strain (NADL) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV): citrated GNPS were synthesized and then PEG di-thiol functionalized. The NPS (before and after PEGlation) were characterized and their morphology studied via Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Absorption Spectra, Zeta Potential as well as the IR studies. The absorption spectra showed a red shifting in the λmax of citrated GNPS from 520 nm to 529 nm after PEGlation. The TEM images showed the particle size was around 12 nm and 15 nm for citrated and PEGlated GNPS, respectively with a distinguishable self-assembly for NPS over polymer. MTT cell viability assay did not show any cytotoxic effect for GNPs on MDBK cells with concentrations of 2 and 4 ppm. Afterward, GNPs' antiviral activity has been determined. Our results showed that functionalized GNPs has limited in-vitro toxic effect in certain concentrations and also has a strong affinity to BVD virus as well as efficient attachment inhibitory effect.