Cyto and genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in human hepatocellular carcinoma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

► The geno- and cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in cancer and healthy cells were investigated. ► The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evidenced for both cells. ► The healthy cells exhibit less sensitive to DNA damage than cancer cells. ► The nanoparticulate systems can be applied in cancer therapy with reduced side effects.