| Cristina-Teodora DOBROTĂ1,2,3, Gheorghe TOMOAIA3,4, Olga SORITAU5, Cristina-Lavinia ROȘOIU6, Aurora MOCANU7, Ossi HOROVITZ8, Maria TOMOAIA-COTISEL3,9*
Abstract: This study investigates gold nanoparticles multi-functionalized with resveratrol, piperine, icariin, and doxorubicin for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) stem cells. MTT assays were used to evaluate cancer cell viability as a function of formulations (compositions) and exposure time. These results show that the combination of doxorubicin, which is essential for strong cytotoxic effects, with polyphenols, that are responsible primarily for enhancing the doxorubicin targeting to the cancer cells, leads to an improved anticancer effect through synergistic interactions. Smart gold nanoparticles functionalized with doxorubicin and polyphenols improved the delivery and the efficacy of the low doxorubicin doses, suggesting reduced toxicity to healthy cells and enhanced drug targeting to cancer cells. Overall, the developed multifunctional nanostructures demonstrated a promising enhanced anticancer potential and may represent an effective strategy for future glioblastoma therapy. Keywords: cancer therapy, gold nanoparticles, doxorubicin, polyphenols, glioblastoma, synergistic effect DOI 10.56082/annalsarscibio.2026.1.88 Read full article 1Associate Professor, PhD, Research Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos St., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (cristina.dobrota@ubbcluj.ro) 2Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii St., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 3Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov St. 050044 Bucharest, Romania 4Prof., PhD, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 47 General Traian Moşoiu St., 400132 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov St., 050044 Bucharest, Romania, (tomoaia2000@yahoo.com). 5PhD, MD, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă”, 34-36 Republicii St., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, (olgasoritau@yahoo.com) 6Masterand, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 44 Republicii St., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, (cristina.rosoiu@stud.ubbcluj.ro) 7Associate professor, PhD, Research Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos St., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, (mocanu.aurora@gmail.com) 8Prof., PhD, Research Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos St., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, (ossihor@yahoo.com) 9Prof., PhD, Research Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babeş-Bolyai University, 11 Arany Janos St., 400028 Cluj-Napoca, Romania *Corresponding author e-mail: Maria Tomoaia-Cotisel mcotisel@gmail.com |
PUBLISHED in Annals Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Biology, ISSN ONLINE85 – 4177 |

