Gold Nanoparticles Improves The Efficiency of HIV Drug

25 May 2008

According to the finding of researchers at North Carolina State University, a gold nanoparticle attached to the multiple molecules of modified HIV drug restored the ability of the drug to prevent HIV infection. The research finding appeared in the recent online Journal Of The American Chemical Society.

The HIV drug TAK-779 was developed during nineties to combat HIV and later discarded as it has harmful side effects. This drug contains harmful ammonium salt. The drug bind specific T- cells, which blocks the HIV virus but at the same time it has severe side effect and after removing ammonium salt from the drug, the drug lost its binding nature.

Dr. Christian Malender, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Mr. T. Eric Balland of North Carolina State University replaced ammonium salt by gold nanoparticles. In the modified drug SDC-1721, 12 molecules of the drug were attached to the single molecule of gold nanoparticles. Researchers when attached one molecule of gold nanoparticles to one molecule of drug, the resultant drug molecule was unable to combat HIV virus, as the multivalency is the answer for binding nature.

So, a non-harmful way for treating HIV was discovered and the technique could be utilized for many similar drugs.

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