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SUMMARY:Eco-Friendly Gold Nanoparticle-Hypericin Conjugates for Antibody-M
 ediated Breast Cancer Phototherapy
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260325T090000Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260325T092000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260427T052901Z
UID:indico-contribution-10314@events.saip.org.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Mpho Mohlongo (University of Johannesburg)\nAbstract
  \nPhotodynamic therapy employing Hypericin has gained attention as a pote
 ntial alternative for breast cancer treatment\, yet its clinical utility r
 emains limited by poor solubility\, low selectivity\, and non-specific cel
 lular uptake. To address these challenges\, we developed a targeted nanopl
 atform integrating green-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)\, Hyperici
 n\, and monoclonal antibody functionalisation for enhanced PDT in MCF-7 br
 east cancer cells.\nAuNPs were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Kni
 phophia porphyrantha\, providing a biocompatible and environmentally susta
 inable route. Hypericin was subsequently loaded onto the AuNP surface\, fo
 llowed by conjugation with a monoclonal antibody to yield a bionanoconjuga
 te with improved targeting capacity. Characterization via UV-Vis spectrosc
 opy\, dynamic light scattering\, and transmission electron microscopy conf
 irmed nanoparticle formation\, photosensitizer loading\, and successful an
 tibody attachment.\nTherapeutic performance was evaluated through cellular
  uptake imaging and cytotoxicity assays (MTT\, LDH\, ATP) alongside flow c
 ytometry following irradiation with a 594 nm diode laser. Free Hypericin r
 educed cell viability by ~50%\, whereas the antibody-conjugated Hypericin-
 AuNP nanoplatform decreased viability to below 30%. ATP levels dropped by 
 70% in targeted-nanoconjugate-treated cells compared to only 20% in free H
 ypericin-treated cells\, highlighting enhanced metabolic disruption.\nThes
 e findings demonstrate that antibody-mediated targeting significantly impr
 oves photodynamic efficacy\, establishing this green nanotechnology-derive
 d Hypericin-AuNP nanoplatform as a promising candidate for selective breas
 t cancer therapy.\n\nhttps://events.saip.org.za/event/272/contributions/10
 314/
LOCATION:
URL:https://events.saip.org.za/event/272/contributions/10314/
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