Detection of nitric oxide in macrophage cells for the assessment of the cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles

► Electrochemical method can be used for the detection of NO release from cells induced by AuNPs. ► The amount of NO release from macrophage cells was dependent on the concentration of AuNPs. ► The amount of NO release was evaluated by using an electrochemical method and Griess assay. ► The mechanism of NO release from macrophage cells induced by AuNPs was explained. ► We proposed one possible solution to solve the problem of the AuNPs-induced oxidative stress.