Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel use of a gold nanocluster for treating hypercholesterolemia or hypercholesterolemia-associated diseases, for example, atherosclerosis. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the gold nanocluster has a particle size ranging from about 1 to 10 nm, and consists of, a gold nanocluster formed by a plurality of gold nanoparticles, and a plurality of DHLAs coated on the gold nanocluster.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster about 0.1 to 20 nm in diameter. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the expression of a pro-inflammatory molecule in a cultured cell, including contacting the cultured cell with the said DHLA coated gold nanocluster. Still disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that includes the present DHLA coated gold nanocluster. The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating the inflammatory disease in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ocular lens and a pharmaceutical composition. The ocular lens of the present disclosure is characterized in having a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanoclusters absorbed thereon. The pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure comprises a DHLA coated gold nanocluster, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the DHLA coated gold nanoclusters are capable of reducing intracellular ROS levels, promoting tissue repair, and inhibiting pathological angiogenesis. Accordingly, also disclosed herein are methods of treating ocular conditions by uses of the present contact lens or pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating an inflammatory disease in a subject, including administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) coated gold nanocluster about 0.1 to 20 nm in diameter. Also disclosed is a method for reducing the expression of a pro-inflammatory molecule in a cultured cell, including contacting the cultured cell with the said DHLA coated gold nanocluster. Still disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition that includes the present DHLA coated gold nanocluster. The pharmaceutical composition is useful for treating the inflammatory disease in the subject.