Gold Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Soft Tissue Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rathod Priyanshu , Kamdar Krishi , Sanghavi Saroj , Tirgar Pravin , Debur Ramesh , Dudhat Kiran 
Published: February 2025

Background:

Nanotechnology has gained significant attention in recent years as a promising approach
for addressing a variety of medical challenges, including soft tissue injuries. Among the different nanomaterials,
gold nanoparticles (GNPs) stand out due to their unique and versatile physicochemical properties.
These properties include their small size, customizable shape, and adaptable surface chemistry, which allow
GNPs to be tailored for specific therapeutic purposes. The growing interest in GNPs stems from their potential
to enhance drug delivery, improve healing processes, and reduce side effects in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
This review provides a comprehensive examination of the efficacy of GNPs in the context of soft tissue
injury treatment, exploring both their therapeutic potential and associated risks.

Objectives:

The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of gold nanoparticles in treating
soft tissue injuries. This is achieved through the following specific goals: Formulation of GNPs Gel: Investigating
the methods used to formulate GNPs into a gel form suitable for application in soft tissue injuries.
This includes an analysis of different formulation techniques and the materials used to stabilize and deliver the
nanoparticles. Skin Penetration Methods: It explores various methods by which GNP gel can penetrate the
skin to reach the underlying soft tissues. This involves a review of topical application techniques, including
both conventional and advanced methods, to determine their effectiveness in delivering GNPs to the site of injury.
Therapeutic Benefits and Toxicity: These include assessing the therapeutic benefits of GNPs when applied
to soft tissue injuries, with a focus on the observed outcomes in both animal models and human studies.
Additionally, the review examines the potential toxicity of GNPs, particularly when administered through different
routes, to ensure that their use is both safe and effective.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to gather relevant studies on the use of GNPs
for treating soft tissue injuries. Articles were sourced from well-known scientific databases, including
PubMed, Medline, and Wiley, covering publications from 2008 to 2020. A total of 119 articles were initially
identified for review. After removing 24 duplicates and excluding 90 articles that did not meet the eligibility
criteria, five articles were selected for in-depth full-text analysis and synthesis. These selected studies provided
valuable insights into the formulation, application, and safety of GNPs in treating soft tissue injuries.

Results:

The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that GNPs show considerable promise in treating soft
tissue injuries, particularly in animal models. One of the effective methods for formulating GNPs into a gel involved
the Turkevich method, which utilizes base materials such as Carbol 934, glycerin, and PEG 400. This
formulation method has demonstrated several advantages, including ease of preparation and stability of the resulting
gel. In terms of application, topical administration of GNP gel has proven to be an effective method for
achieving skin penetration and delivering therapeutic benefits. Techniques such as gentle rubbing of the skin
and the use of phonophoresis have been highlighted as particularly effective. However, it is important to note
that while topical application appears safe, other administration routes, such as oral or intravenous delivery of
GNPs, particularly those with small sizes and spherical shapes, have been associated with toxicity in various
organs and can lead to cellular DNA damage.

Conclusion:

The review concludes that topical administration of GNP gel holds significant potential for controlled
and targeted drug delivery in the treatment of soft tissue injuries. This method allows for localized treatment,
reducing the risk of systemic side effects and improving therapeutic outcomes. However, the review also
emphasizes the need for careful consideration of potential cellular-level toxicity, particularly when GNPs
are used in humans. Further research is required to fully understand the long-term safety and efficacy of
GNPs, ensuring that they can be safely integrated into clinical practice for the treatment of soft tissue injuries.