Anti-cancer Application of Nat-ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles on 2D Tumor Models

Metal/Metal Oxide nanoparticles (M/MO NPs) exhibit potential biomedical applications due to their tunable physicochemical properties. Recently, the biogenic synthesis of M/MO NPs has gained massive attention due to their economical and eco-friendly nature. In the present study, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Nat) flower extract-derived Zinc Ferrite NPs (Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs) were synthesized and physicochemically characterized by FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, DLS, and other instruments to study their crystallinity, size, shape, net charge, presence of phytocompounds on NP's surface and several other features. The average particle size of Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs was approx. 25.87 ± 5.67 nm. XRD results showed the crystalline nature of Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs. The net surface charge on NPs was -13.28 ± 7.18 mV. When tested on mouse fibroblasts and human RBCs, these NPs were biocompatible and hemocompatible. Later, these Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs exhibited potent anti-neoplastic activity against pancreatic, lung, and cervical cancer cells. In addition, NPs induced apoptosis in tested cancer cells through ROS generation. These in vitro studies confirmed that Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs could be used for cancer therapy. Moreover, further studies are recommended on ex vivo platforms for future clinical applications.

The Promise of Metal-Doped Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agent

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is one of the pressing global public health concerns and projections indicate a potential 10 million fatalities by the year 2050. The decreasing effectiveness of commercially available antibiotics due to the drug resistance phenomenon has spurred research efforts to develop potent and safe antimicrobial agents. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), especially when doped with metals, have emerged as a promising avenue for combating microbial infections. Like IONPs, the antimicrobial activities of doped-IONPs are also linked to their surface charge, size, and shape. Doping metals on nanoparticles can alter the size and magnetic properties by reducing the energy band gap and combining electronic charges with spins. Furthermore, smaller metal-doped nanoparticles tend to exhibit enhanced antimicrobial activity due to their higher surface-to-volume ratio, facilitating greater interaction with bacterial cells. Moreover, metal doping can also lead to increased charge density in magnetic nanoparticles and thereby elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These ROS play a vital role to disrupt bacterial cell membrane, proteins, or nucleic acids. In this review, we compared the antimicrobial activities of different doped-IONPs, elucidated their mechanism(s), and put forth opinions for improved biocompatibility.

Development and characterization of a temozolomide-loaded nanoemulsion and the effect of ferrocene pre and co-treatments in glioblastoma cell models

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma is a severe brain tumor that requires aggressive treatment involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, offering a survival rate of only 15 months. Fortunately, recent nanotechnology progress has enabled novel approaches and, alongside ferrocenes' unique properties of cytotoxicity, sensitization, and interaction with reactive oxygen species, have brought new possibilities to complement chemotherapy in nanocarrier systems, enhancing treatment results.

METHODS

In this work, we developed and characterized a temozolomide-loaded nanoemulsion and evaluated its cytotoxic potential in combination with ferrocene in the temozolomide-resistant T98G and temozolomide-sensitive U87 cell lines. The effects of the treatments were assessed through acute assays of cell viability, cell death, mitochondrial alterations, and a treatment protocol simulation based on different two-cycle regimens.

RESULTS

Temozolomide nanoemulsion showed a z-average diameter of 173.37 ± 0.86 nm and a zeta potential of - 6.53 ± 1.13 mV. Physicochemical characterization revealed that temozolomide is probably associated with nanoemulsion droplets instead of being entrapped within the nanostructure, allowing a rapid drug release. In combination with ferrocene, temozolomide nanoemulsion reduced glioblastoma cell viability in both acute and two-cycle regimen assays. The combined treatment approach also reversed T98G's temozolomide-resistant profile by altering the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells, thus increasing reactive oxygen species generation, and ultimately inducing cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, our results indicate that using nanoemulsion containing temozolomide in combination with ferrocene is an effective approach to improve glioblastoma therapy outcomes.

Investigation of the Structural and Optical Properties of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized via a Green Route

We report herein the synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄ (ZF) nanoparticles via a simple and eco-friendly green route using lemon juice as a reducing agent and fuel. The effect of different calcination temperatures on the particle size and bandgap of grown ZF nanoparticles was investigated. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were evaluated using synchrotron x-ray diffraction (S-XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis-DRS), respectively. S-XRD confirmed a spinel F-d3m phase in all four samples calcined at 350°C, 550°C, 750°C and 1000°C. The crystallite size calculated from the Debye-Scherrer equation showed an increase from 14 nm to 20 nm with the increase in calcination temperature. Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis revealed an increase in the particle size from 16 nm to 21 nm and a decrease in the lattice microstrain from 0.913 × 10^-3 to 0.154 × 10^-4 with the increase in calcination temperature. The optical bandgap of the ZF nanoparticles obtained from UV-Vis-DRS decreased from 2.265 eV to 2.225 eV with the increase in calcination temperature. The ZF nanoparticles with tunable particle size, lattice microstrain and optical bandgap have potential application in ferrofluid, electromagnetic shielding, photocatalysis, hyperthermia, dye degradation and other areas.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11664-022-09813-2.

A zinc ferrite nanodrug carrier for delivery of docetaxel: Synthesis, characterization and in vitro tests on C6 glioma cells

AIM

Docetaxel (DTX) loaded bio-compatible PLGA-PEG encapsulated zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZFNP) formulation was developed and evaluated against C6 glioma cells.

METHODS

The ZFNP were characterized using XRD, FE-SEM, TEM etc. A series of drug formulations were fabricated by conjugating hydrothermally synthesized ZFNP with DTX in a PLGA-PEG matrix and optimized for drug loading. FTIR and DLS analysis of the formulation along with in vitro drug release, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and haemolytic effect were evaluated.

RESULTS

Spherical, monodisperse, crystalline ZFNP with an average size of ∼28 nm were formed. The optimized formulation showed hydrodynamic diameter of ∼147 nm, surface charge of -34.8 mV, a drug loading of 6.9% (w/w) with prolonged drug release property and higher toxicity in C6 glioma cells compared to free DTX along with good internalization and negligible hemolysis.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate ZFNP could be effectively used as nanodrug carrier for delivery of docetaxel to glioma cells.

Hydrogel beads-based nanocomposites in novel drug delivery platforms: Recent trends and developments

The present article evaluates the composition and synthesis of hydrogel beads. Hydrogels, owing to their known biocompatibility, are widely used in drug delivery as a host (or drug carrier). Hydrogels, owing to their physical, chemical and biological properties, are popular in many aspects. Hydrogels are crosslinked-hydrophilic polymers and commercialized/synthesized in both natural and synthetic forms. These polymers are compatible with human tissues, therefore can be potentially used for biomedical treatments. Hydrogels in drug delivery offer several points of interest such as sustainability, and sensitivity without any side-effects as compared to traditional methods in this field. Drugs can encapsulate and release continuously into the targets when hydrogels are activated/modified magnetically or by fluorescent materials. It is crucial to develop new crosslinked polymers in terms of "biocompatibility" and "biodegradability" for novel drug delivery platforms. In the event that the accomplishments of the past can be used into the longer terms, it is exceedingly likely that hydrogels with a wide cluster of alluring properties can be synthesized. The current review, offers an updated summary of latest developments in the nanomedicines field as well as nanobased drug delivery systems over broad study of the discovery/ application of nanomaterials in improving both the efficacy of drugs and targeted delivery of them. The challenges/opportunities of nanomedicine in drug delivery also discussed. SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH: Although several reviews have been published in the field of hydrogels, however many of them have just centralized on the general overviews in terms of "synthesis" and "properties". The utilization of hydrogels and hydrogel-based composites in vital applications have been achieved a great interest. In this review, our aim is to recap of the key points in the field of hydrogels such as; a) hydrogel nanocomposites, b) magnetic beads, c) biomedical applications, and d) drug delivery. In the same vein, these outlines will be expanded with emphasizing on the boon of magnetic beads and recent developments in this area.

Zinc ferrate nanoparticles for applications in medicine: synthesis, physicochemical properties, regulation of macrophage functions, and in vivo safety evaluation

Zinc ferrate nanoparticles (ZnFe₂O₄ NPs) have attracted enormous interest as potential nanomaterials. The purpose of this study was to examine the in vitro macrophages toxicity, in vivo safety, and immunogenicity. Three kinds of ZnFe₂O₄ NPs with different shapes (round, litchi, and raspberry), nano-sizes, and pores were successfully prepared. In vitro experiments showed that ZnFe₂O₄ NPs caused no cytotoxicity against the RAW 264.7 cells up to administered dose of 200 μg/mL, enhanced proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α, and costimulatory marker CD86 expression in the RAW 264.7 cells. Interestingly, ZnFe₂O₄ NPs reduced ROS expression, which was inconsistent with common metal oxide NPs such as iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) NPs and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs. ZnFe₂O₄ NPs improved the RAW 264.7 cells phagocytosed more neutral red. There was no obvious difference in body weight, the number of immune cells, organ index, and expression of inflammatory factors in serum of rats administrated intravenously and subcutaneously on day 21 after treatment by ZnFe₂O₄ NPs in comparison with the blank control. These results demonstrated that ZnFe₂O₄ NPs slightly enhanced the function of the RAW 264.7 cells in vitro but caused no obvious toxicity to macrophages as well as rat blood cells, and low immunogenicity in rats, suggesting that ZnFe₂O₄ NPs as a biocompatible nanomaterials achieved potential for bioapplication in the future.

Recent aspects of the effects of zinc on human health

Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important essential nutrients of great public health significance. It is involved in numerous biological functions and it is considered as a multipurpose trace element, due to its capacity to bind to more than 300 enzymes and more than 2000 transcriptional factors. Its role in biochemical pathways and cellular functions, such as the response to oxidative stress, homeostasis, immune responses, DNA replication, DNA damage repair, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and aging is significant. Zn is required for the synthesis of protein and collagen, thus contributing to wound healing and a healthy skin. Metallothioneins are metal-binding proteins and they are potent scavengers of heavy metals, including Zn, and protect the organism against stress. Zn deficiency is observed almost in 17% of the global population and affects many organ systems, leading to dysfunction of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, thus increasing the susceptibility to infection. This review gives a thorough insight into the most recent evidence on the association between Zn biochemistry and human pathologies, epigenetic processes, gut microbial composition, drug targets and nanomedicine.

Therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles and routes of administration

In modern-day medicine, nanotechnology and nanoparticles are some of the indispensable tools in disease monitoring and therapy. The term “nanomaterials” describes materials with nanoscale dimensions (< 100 nm) and are broadly classified into natural and synthetic nanomaterials. However, “engineered” nanomaterials have received significant attention due to their versatility. Although enormous strides have been made in research and development in the field of nanotechnology, it is often confusing for beginners to make an informed choice regarding the nanocarrier system and its potential applications. Hence, in this review, we have endeavored to briefly explain the most commonly used nanomaterials, their core properties and how surface functionalization would facilitate competent delivery of drugs or therapeutic molecules. Similarly, the suitability of carbon-based nanomaterials like CNT and QD has been discussed for targeted drug delivery and siRNA therapy. One of the biggest challenges in the formulation of drug delivery systems is fulfilling targeted/specific drug delivery, controlling drug release and preventing opsonization. Thus, a different mechanism of drug targeting, the role of suitable drug-laden nanocarrier fabrication and methods to augment drug solubility and bioavailability are discussed. Additionally, different routes of nanocarrier administration are discussed to provide greater understanding of the biological and other barriers and their impact on drug transport. The overall aim of this article is to facilitate straightforward perception of nanocarrier design, routes of various nanoparticle administration and the challenges associated with each drug delivery method.

A review of small molecules and drug delivery applications using gold and iron nanoparticles

Conventional cancer treatment techniques show several limitations including low or no specificity and consequently a low efficacy in discriminating between cancer cells and healthy cells. Recent nanotechnology developments have introduced smart and novel therapeutic nanomaterials that take advantage of various targeting approaches. The use of nanotechnology in medicine and, more specifically, drug delivery is set to spread even more rapidly than it has over the past two decades. Currently, many nanoparticles (NPs) are under investigation for drug delivery including those for cancer therapy. Targeted nanomaterials bind selectively to cancer cells and greatly affect them with only a minor effect on healthy cells. Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs), specifically, have been identified as significant candidates for new cancer therapeutic modalities because of their biocompatibility, easy functionalization and fabrication, optical tunable characteristics, and chemophysical stability. In the last decade, there has been significant research on Au-NPs and their biomedical applications. Functionalized Au-NPs represent highly attractive and promising candidates for drug delivery, owing to their unique dimensions, tunable surface functionalities, and controllable drug release. Further, iron oxide NPs due to their "superparamagnetic" properties have been studied and have demonstrated successful employment in numerous applications. In targeted drug delivery systems, drug-loaded iron oxide NPs can accumulate at the tumor site with the aid of an external magnetic field. This can lead to incremental effectiveness in drug release to the tumor site and vanquish cancer cells without harming healthy cells. In order for the application of iron oxide NPs in the human body to be realized, they should be biodegradable and biocompatible to minimize toxicity. This review illustrates recent advances in the field drug and small molecule delivery such as fluorouracil, folic acid, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and daunorubicin, specifically when using gold and iron oxide NPs as carriers of anticancer therapeutic agents.

Magnetic nanocarriers: Evolution of spinel ferrites for medical applications

A valuable site-directed application in the field of nanomedicine is targeted drug delivery using magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles by applying an external magnetic field at the target tissue. The magnetic property of these structures allows controlling the orientation and location of particles by changing the direction of the applied external magnetic field. Pharmaceutical design and research in the field of nanotechnology offer novel solutions for diagnosis and therapies. This review summarizes magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic spinel ferrit's properties, remarkable approaches in magnetic liposomes, magnetic polymeric nanoparticles, MRI, hyperthermia and especially magnetic drug delivery systems, which have recently developed in the field of magnetic nanoparticles and their medicinal applications. Here, we discuss spinel ferrite (SF) as magnetic materials that are a significant class of composite metal oxides. They contain ferric ions and have the general structural formula M²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄ (where M = Co,Ni,Zn,etc.). This structure indicates unique multifunctional properties, such as excellent magnetic characteristics, high specific surface area, surface active sites, high chemical stability, tuneable shape and size, and options for functionalization. The review assesses the current efforts on synthesis, properties and medical application of magnetic spinel ferrites nanoparticles based on cobalt, nickel and zinc. Based on this review, it can be concluded that MNPs and SFNPs have unlimited ability in biomedical applications. However, the practical application of SFNPs on a huge scale still needs to be considered and evaluated.

Heparin-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for curcumin delivery: in vitro, in vivo and molecular dynamics simulation study

We fabricated novel rGO-based nanocomposites and analyzed their interaction with drug and proteins via a molecular dynamics study.

Zn2+ Ion Surface Enrichment in Doped Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Leads to Charge Carrier Density Enhancement

Here, we report the development of monodisperse Zn-doped iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) with different amounts of Zn (Zn _x Fe_3-x O₄, 0 < x < 0.43) by thermal decomposition of a mixture of zinc and iron oleates. The as-synthesized NPs show a considerable fraction of wüstite (FeO) which is transformed to spinel upon 2 h oxidation of the NP reaction solutions. At any Zn doping amounts, we observed the enrichment of the NP surface with Zn²⁺ ions, which is enhanced at higher Zn loadings. Such a distribution of Zn²⁺ ions is attributed to the different thermal decomposition profiles of Zn and Fe oleates, with Fe oleate decomposing at much lower temperature than that of Zn oleate. The decomposition of Zn oleate is, in turn, catalyzed by a forming iron oxide phase. The magnetic properties were found to be strongly dependent on the Zn doping amounts, showing the saturation magnetization to decrease by 9 and 20% for x = 0.05 and 0.1, respectively. On the other hand, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy near the Fermi level demonstrates that the Zn_0.05Fe_2.95O₄ sample displays a more metallic character (a higher charge carrier density) than undoped iron oxide NPs, supporting its use as a spintronic material.

Development of a thermosensitive protein conjugated nanogel for enhanced radio-chemotherapy of cancer

Although chemo-radiotherapy has been widely applied in clinics for cancer treatment, current strategies still face many challenges including serious side-effects and drug resistance. Herein, we develop a chemically cross-linked poly-N,N'-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (PDMAEMA) smart nanogel as an excellent thermosensitive nanocarrier to load both an anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) and a radioisotope, ¹³¹I-labeled albumin, for enhanced chemo-radioisotope therapy. Such a PDMAEMA nanogel in the solution form at room temperature can be easily injected into a tumor, in which it would be transformed into a gel at body temperature. Sustained drug release occurs in the tumor owing to the pH sensitive switching activity of the nanogel. In addition, the in situ thermogelling behavior of PDMAEMA leads to the long-term retention of ¹³¹I-labeled albumin within the tumor. In vivo chemo-radiotherapy is then conducted, achieving excellent therapeutic efficacy due to the sustained drug release and ¹³¹I retention for a long time in the cancer lesions. Our newly developed strategy of using a thermosensitive polymer for enhancing chemo-radiotherapy may be considered as a promising platform for combined cancer therapy without inducing obvious side-effects compared to the traditional chemo or radiotherapy.

A theranostic nanocomposite system based on iron oxide-drug nanocages for targeted magnetic field responsive chemotherapy

In this work, a theranostic nanocage system was developed for the targeted delivery of the anti-cancer agents camptothecin (CPT) and luotonin A (LuA). The core of the nanocage system (Fe₃O₄@OA-AD-SP NCs) was formed by biogenically synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with a model anti-cancer drug (AD) and biosurfactant saponin (SP). The Fe₃O₄@OA-AD-SP NCs showed a high lipophilic AD loading efficiency (>80%) and a controlled pH-responsive drug release in stimulated cancerous cells in pH 6.4 media buffer. In addition, Fe₃O₄@OA-AD-SP NCs exhibited better serum protein binding efficacy at physiological pH values (7.4), furthering the important role of SP surface decoration. Particularly, these NCs showed better chemotherapeutic efficacy when examined in MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines with a specific targeting capacity. Therefore, this study provides a new nano platform based on magnetic targeting and pH responsive lipophilic anticancer drug delivery to the cancer site.

Mechanistic insights into the interaction between energetic oxygen ions and nanosized ZnFe2O4: XAS-XMCD investigations

Irradiation of nanosized zinc ferrite with swift heavy ions leads to cation redistribution and changes in magnetic interactions.

Covalent immobilization of doxorubicin in glycine functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for pH-responsive release

Development and therapeutic evaluation of glycine functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles having a covalently conjugated anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride.

Surface-Engineered Multifunctional Eu:Gd2O3 Nanoplates for Targeted and pH-Responsive Drug Delivery and Imaging Applications

In this paper, we report the synthesis of surface-engineered multifunctional Eu:Gd₂O₃ triangular nanoplates with small size and uniform shape via a high-temperature solvothermal technique. Surface engineering has been performed by a one-step polyacrylate coating, followed by controlled conjugation chemistry. This creates the desired number of surface functional groups that can be used to attach folic acid as a targeting ligand on the nanoparticle surface. To specifically deliver the drug molecules in the nucleus, the folate density on the nanoparticle surface has been kept low. We have also modified the drug molecules with terminal double bond and ester linkage for the easy conjugation of nanoparticles. The nanoparticle surface was further modified with free thiols to specifically attach the modified drug molecules with a pH-responsive feature. High drug loading has been encountered for both hydrophilic drug daunorubicin (∼69% loading) and hydrophobic drug curcumin (∼75% loading) with excellent pH-responsive drug release. These nanoparticles have also been used as imaging probes in fluorescence imaging. Some preliminary experiments to evaluate their application in magnetic resonance imaging have also been explored. A detailed fluorescence imaging study has confirmed the efficient delivery of drugs to the nuclei of cancer cells with a high cytotoxic effect. Synthesized surface-engineered nanomaterials having small hydrodynamic size, excellent colloidal stability, and high drug-loading capacity, along with targeted and pH-responsive delivery of dual drugs to the cancer cells, will be potential nanobiomaterials for various biomedical applications.

Nanoengineered thermoresponsive magnetic hydrogels for biomedical applications

“Smart” hydrogels are part of an emerging class of biomaterials that respond to multiple external stimuli. A range of thermoresponsive magnetic hydrogels is currently being developed for on‐demand delivery of biomolecules for a range of biomedical applications, including therapeutic drug delivery, bioimaging, and regenerative engineering. In this review article, we explore different types of magnetic nanoparticles and thermoresponsive polymers used to fabricate these smart nanoengineered hydrogels. We highlight some of the emerging applications of these stimuli‐responsive hydrogels for biomedical applications. Finally, we capture the growing trend of these smart nanoengineered hydrogels and will identify promising new research directions.

Pluronic stabilized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles for intracellular delivery of curcumin

Water-dispersible Pluronic stabilized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were developed for intracellular delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drug.