(648d) Preparation and Characterization of Funtionalized Hematite-Magnetite Nano-Particles for the Anticancer Drug Delivery of Cisplatin

Controlled fabrication of nanostructured materials with functional properties has been the focus of attention in recent years due to their unique size and shape-dependent properties (optical, electrical, magnetic, catalytic, mechanical, chemical, etc.). Therefore, studies on the controllable synthesis of nanomaterials are of great interest and are actively being pursued.

In this study, we have attached the active anticancer drug cisplatin to a silica-modified (hematite-magnetite) nanoparticle for improved drug delivery. Naked Fe2O3-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were covered with a thin shell of silica using the well-known method developed by Stöber. The silica-modified (hematite-magnetite) nanoparticles were then functionalized with a silane monolayer. Cisplatin was then added to the silanated surface to yield a complex functionalized nanoparticle. The functionalized Fe2O3-Fe3O4 samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta potential, Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).

The platinum-tethered nanoparticles were also examined for in-vitro cytotoxicity (using a hemolysis assay), drug uptake, and localization (by fluorecent tagging) in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. The results obtained show that nanoparticles developed in this study could potentially be useful in the controlled delivery of cisplatin for cancer therapeutics and may be considered a promising platform in targeted therapy of cancer.