Thermosensitive hydrogels based on chitosan/pectin (CS/Pec) and CS/Pec/gold nanoparticles (CS/Pec/AuNPs) were successfully prepared with different AuNP levels. Using a tilting method, gelation temperature was demonstrated to decrease when the amount of AuNPs increased and pectin concentrations decreased. The presence of AuNPs in the CS/Pec composite was evaluated via WAXS and UV-vis techniques, while SEM analysis assessed the average size of pores (350-600μm). All samples were extremely cytocompatible with many cell types, such as normal kidney epithelial cells (VERO cells), epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29 cells), HPV-16 positive human cervical tumour cells (SiHa cells), kidney epithelial cells (LLCMK cells) and murine macrophage cells (J774A1 cells). Cell viability assays using the MTT method upon mouse preosteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1 cells) showed that CS/Pec and CS/Pec/AuNPs composites had the potential to foster proliferation and growth of bone cells, making them possible stimulators for reconstruction of bone tissues.
Polyelectrolyte complex beads based on N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC) and sodium alginate (ALG) were obtained. This biomaterial was characterised by FTIR, TGA/DTG, DSC and SEM analysis. The good properties of polyelectrolyte complex hydrogel beads were associated, for the first time, with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Through a straightforward methodology, AuNPs were encapsulated into the beads. The in vitro cytotoxicity assays on the Caco-2 colon cancer cells and healthy VERO cells showed that the beads presented good biocompatibility on both cell lines, whereas the beads loaded with gold nanoparticles (beads/AuNPs) was slightly cytotoxic on the Caco-2 and VERO cells.
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