Nanoparticles based on the zwitterionic pillar[5]arene and Ag⁺: synthesis, self-assembly and cytotoxicity in the human lung cancer cell line A549

For the first time, stable pillar[5]arene/Ag⁺ nanoparticles, consisting of water-soluble pillar[5]arene containing γ-sulfobetaine fragments and Ag⁺ ions without Ag–Ag bonds, were synthesized and characterized. The pillar[5]arene/Ag⁺ (ratio 1:10) nanoparticles obtained were cubic with a rib length of 100 nm and are less cytotoxic than Ag⁺ ions. The survival of the A549 model cells in the presence of pillar[5]arene/Ag⁺ (1:10) nanoparticles at a concentration of 30 and 40 μM was 76% and 55%, while in the absence of pillar[5]arene, the cell survival for free Ag⁺ ions at the same concentration was 30% and 10%, respectively. The results can be used to create new antibacterial materials and 2D biomedical coatings.