Synthesis and properties of magnetic nanotheranostics coated with polyethylene glycol/5-fluorouracil/layered double hydroxide

Investigation of Folate-Functionalized Magnetic-Gold Nanoparticles Based Targeted Drug Delivery for Liver: In Vitro, In Vivo and Docking Studies

Magnetic nanoparticles used for targeted drug administration present a promising approach in cancer treatment owing to its notable advantages, such as targeted and enhanced encapsulation ability and improved bio protection compared with conventional drug delivery methods. Au shell-iron core nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Au) were manufactured by a chemical process, coated with dextran to encapsulate curcumin, and functionalized for precision drug delivery using folic acid to combat liver cancer. Dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and magnetometry were applied to assess the synthesis of the Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA compound. The mean size, zeta potential, and polydispersity of Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA were 63.3 ± 2.33 nm, -68.3 ± 1.78 mV, and 0.041 ± 0.008, respectively. Molecular docking models were created to examine the relationship between Fe3O4@Au-CU and BCL-XL, BAK, and to identify potential binding sites. The loading efficiency and release profile tests examined the medication delivery system's ability. MTT assay was subsequently utilized to determine the optimal dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA on cancer SNU-449 and healthy THLE-2 cell lines. Flow cytometry demonstrated that Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA effectively induced cancer cell death. Fe3O4@Au-DEX-FA showed a regulated release profile of free curcumin at 37 °C and pH values of 7.4 and 5.4. Real-time PCR revealed increased BAK expression and decreased BCL-XL expression. Nude tumor-bearing mice were used for in vivo experiments. Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA treatment dramatically reduced the swelling size compared with free CU and control treatments. It also resulted in a longer lifespan, expanded splenocyte proliferation, increased IFN-γ levels, and decreased IL-4 levels. The regular cells showed no cytotoxic effect compared with the cancer type, confirming that Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA maintained its potent anticancer actions. The data suggests that Fe3O4@Au-DEX-CU-FA possesses a promising potential as a therapeutic agent for combating tumors.

Key Insights on the Classification and Theranostic Applications of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive molecular imaging tool being extensively employed in clinical and biomedical research for the detection of a broad spectrum of diseases. This technique offers remarkable spatial resolution, good tissue penetration and a high soft tissue contrast. Contrast agents (CAs) have been regularly used in MRI tests to enhance the resolution of MR images and to visualize the diseased sites in the body. In the past years, considerable efforts have been devoted towards developing new theranostic MRI agents that can be tailored to integrate the targeting and therapeutic functions in a single agent. In this review, we have underlined the role of the MRI CAs in the developing field of 'theranostics' and their recent applications in the combined imaging and therapy of different types of tumors. In addition, this review also outlines the different categories of MRI CAs and their comprehensive classification based on different criteria such as chemical composition, relaxation mechanism and biodistribution with clinically relevant examples.

Hybridization of layered double hydroxides with functional particles

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of materials with useful properties associated with their anion exchange abilities as well as redox and adsorptive properties for a wide range of applications including adsorbents, catalysts and their supports, electrodes, pigments, ceramic precursors, and drug carriers. In order to satisfy the requirements for each application as well as to find alternative applications, the preparation of LDHs with the desired composition and particle morphology and post-synthetic modification by the host-guest interactions have been examined. In addition, the hybridization of LDHs with various functional particles has been reported to design materials of modified, improved, and multiple functions. In the present article, the preparation, the heterostructure and the application of hybrids containing LDHs as the main component are overviewed.

Layered double hydroxides and their tailored hybrids/composites: Progressive trends for delivery of natural/synthetic-drug/cosmetic biomolecules

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are well-known and important class of hydrotalcite-type anionic clays (HTs) materials that are cost-effective with additional advantages of facile synthesis, composition, tenability, and reusability. These convincing characteristics are liable for their applications in various fields related to energy, environment, catalysis, biomedical, and biotechnology. HTs/LDHs are generally synthesized from low cost abundantly available chemical precursors through the aqueous synthetic pathways under mild reaction conditions. These materials can be termed green materials based on their non-toxic nature, availability of precursors, facile and low-cost production using aqueous medium conditions with less hazardous effluents. Diverse and fascinating characteristics have been attributed to HTs/LDHs like anion exchange ability, surface basicity, biocompatibility, controlled release of the anion specific area, porosity, easy surface modification, and pH dependent biodegradability. Hence, HTs/LDHs and their modified and/or functionalized nanohybrids/nanocomposites are reported as the potential drug delivery carriers with a capability to stabilize the susceptible bioactive molecules, may enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs along with controlled drug/bioactive molecule release and delivery. These clay and bioactive hybrid materials have good biocompatibility, less cytotoxicity, and better site-targeting with improved cellular uptake than that of free parent biomolecules. These lamellar solids of micro/nanostructure are compatible, host-guest materials and able to fabricate with drugs/cosmeceutical/bio- or synthetic polymers without any change in their molecular structure and reactivity along with improvement in their stabilities. Other important features are facile synthesis, basicity, high stability with easy storage, and efficient administration with low bio-toxicity. This study enlightens the applications of HTs/LDHs along with their hybrids/composites in the field of drug/cosmeceutical/gene delivery systems of natural/synthetic biomolecules.

Dextran-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Loaded with 5-Fluorouracil for Drug-Delivery Applications

This study aims to design and test different formulations composed of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) loaded with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) with varying nanoparticle:drug ratios on colorectal cancer cells. The stable suspension of IONPs s was synthesized by the adapted co-precipitation method. The stable suspension of IONPs was mixed with a solution of dextran and 5-FU solubilized in a saline solution. The final suspensions with optimized ratios of IONP:5-FU in the final suspension were 0.5:1, 1:1, and 1.5:1. The information on the morphology and size distribution of the IONPs suspension and IONP loads with 5-FU was obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of 5-FU and dextran on the surface of the IONPs was highlighted by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) studies. The determination of the surface charge of the nanoparticles in the final suspensions of IONP:5-FU was achieved by measuring the zeta potential (ζ). The hydrodynamic diameter of the resulting suspensions of IONP:5-FU was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). A cytocompatibility analysis was performed using Caco-2 (human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma) cells. In this research, our goal was to find a relationship between the formulation ratio of nanoparticles and drug, and the cellular response after exposure, as a strategy to increase the efficacy of this drug-delivery system. The nanoparticle uptake and antitumor activity, including modulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and proliferation biomarkers, were analyzed. The present study showed that the nanoformulation with the ratio IONP:5-FU 1.5:1 had the highest anti-tumor efficiency. Moreover, decreased MCM-2 expression in Caco-2 cells exposed to dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles loaded with 5-FU was demonstrated for the first time.

Formulation and Characterization of Fe3O4@PEG Nanoparticles Loaded Sorafenib; Molecular Studies and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity in Liver Cancer Cell Lines

Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the nanocarriers that are suitable for novel drug delivery systems due to low toxicity, biocompatibility, loading capacity, and controlled drug delivery to cancer cells. The purpose of the present study is the synthesis of coated iron oxide nanoparticles for the delivery of sorafenib (SFB) and its effects on cancer cells. In this study, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and then sorafenib was loaded onto PEG@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. FTIR was used to ensure polyethylene glycol (PEG) binding to nanoparticles and loading the drug onto the nanoshells. A comparison of the mean size and the crystalline structure of nanoparticles was performed by TEM, DLS, and X-ray diffraction patterns. Then, cell viability was obtained by the MTT assay for 3T3 and HepG2 cell lines. According to FT-IR results, the presence of O-H and C-H bands at 3427 cm^-1 and 1420 cm^-1 peak correlate with PEG binding to nanoparticles. XRD pattern showed the cubic spinel structure of trapped magnetite nanoparticles carrying medium. The magnetic properties of nanoparticles were examined by a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). IC₅₀ values at 72 h for treatment with carriers of Fe₃O₄@PEG nanoparticle for the HepG2 cell line was 15.78 μg/mL (p < 0.05). This study showed that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated by polyethylene glycol and using them in the drug delivery process could be beneficial for increasing the effect of sorafenib on cancer cells.

Green synthesis and characterization of iron-oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera: a potential protocol for use in low and middle income countries

Objective

Green synthesized iron(III) oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles are gaining appeal in targeted drug delivery systems because of their low cost, fast processing and nontoxicity. However, there is no known research work undertaken in the production of green synthesized nano-particles from the Ugandan grown Moringa Oleifera (MO). This study aims at exploring and developing an optimized protocol aimed at producing such nanoparticles from the Ugandan grown Moringa.

Results

While reducing ferric chloride solution with Moringa oleifera leaves, Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-NPs) were synthesized through an economical and completely green biosynthetic method. The structural properties of these Fe₃O₄-NPs were investigated by Ultra Violet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These nanoparticles exhibited UV–visible absorption peaks at 225 nm (nm) for the sixth dilution and 228 nm for the fifth dilution which indicated that the nanoparticles were photosensitive and the SEM study confirmed the spherical nature of these nanoparticles. The total synthesis time was approximately 5 h after drying the moringa leaves, and the average particle size was approximately 16 nm. Such synthesized nanoparticles can potentially be useful for drug delivery, especially in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

5-Fluorouracil loaded magnetic cellulose bionanocomposites for potential colorectal cancer treatment

Magnetic polymer nanocomposites are inherently multifunctional and harbor assorted physiochemical actions for applications thereof as novel drug nanocarriers. Herein, Fe₃O₄-nanoparticles were supported on rice straw cellulose for 5-fluorouracil carrier abbreviated as MC/5-FU for potential colorectal cancer treatments. Several analyses indicated the multifunctional properties of MC/5-FU bionanocomposites. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy study demonstrated that Fe₃O₄ nanofillers covered the cellulose matrix. The drug release from MC/5-FU was evaluated under various pH and temperature conditions, showing the maximum release at pH 7.4 and 44.2 °C. In in vitro anticancer assay, MC/5-FU exhibited enhanced selectivity and anticancer actions against 2D monolayer and 3D tumour spheroid models colorectal cancer cells. The anticancer effects of MC/5-FU with magnetic targeting and heat induction were also examined. This easily synthesized MC/5-FU indicated the potential in application as a low-cost drug formulation for colorectal cancer treatments.

An overview and bibliometric analysis on the colorectal cancer therapy by magnetic functionalized nanoparticles for the responsive and targeted drug delivery

With the growing demands for personalized medicine and medical devices, nanomedicine is a modern scientific field, and research continues to apply nanomaterials for therapeutic and damaged tissue diagnosis. In this regard, substantial progress has been made in synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles with desired sizes, chemical composition, morphologies, and surface chemistry. Among these materials, nanomagnetic iron oxides have demonstrated promise as unique drug delivery carriers due to cancer treatment. This carrier could lead to responsive properties to a specific trigger, including heat, pH, alternative magnetic field, or even enzymes, through functionalization and coating of magnetic nanoparticles, along with biocompatibility, good chemical stability, easy functionalization, simple processing, and ability to localize to the tumor site with the assistance of external magnetic field. Current studies have focused on magnetic nanoparticles' utilities in cancer therapy, especially for colorectal cancer. Additionally, a bibliometric investigation was performed on the public trends in the field of the magnetic nanoparticle to drug delivery and anticancer, which represented progressing applications of these carriers in the multidisciplinary zones with a general view on future research and identified potential opportunities and challenges. Furthermore, we outline the current challenges and forthcoming research perspective for high performance and fostering advanced MNPs in colorectal cancer treatment.

Electrosprayed minocycline hydrochloride-loaded microsphere/SAIB hybrid depot for periodontitis treatment

Minocycline hydrochloride (MINO) has been one of the most frequently used antibiotics in the treatment of periodontitis due to its antibacterial activity and osteogenesis effects; however, high levels of MINO administered during the treatment halt the formation of new bone. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to prepare a MINO-microsphere/sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) hybrid depot to reduce the burst release of MINO and ensure antibacterial and osteogenesis effects of MINO in the treatment of periodontitis. Uniform microspheres, approximately 5 µm size, with a slightly rough surface and different MINO loading (10, 12, and 14%) were prepared, and the microspheres were added into SAIB, after which the burst release significantly decreased from 66.18 to 2.92%, from 71.82 to 3.82%, and from 73.35 to 4.45%, respectively, and the release from all the MINO-microspheres/SAIB hybrid depots lasted for 77 days. In addition, cytotoxicity test showed that the MINO-microsphere with 12% drug loading promoted the proliferation of osteoblasts the most and was subsequently used in vivo experiments. Moreover, in the model of ligatured-induced periodontitis in SD rats, the MINO-microsphere/SAIB hybrid depot not only significantly increased the alveolar bone height and bone volume but also reduced the inflammation of the periodontal tissue. Additionally, it also inhibited the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and promoted the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG).. These results indicated that the MINO-microsphere/SAIB hybrid depot might be promising in the treatment of periodontitis.

Dual-Functional Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Polyvinyl Alcohol/5-Fluorouracil/Zinc-Aluminium-Layered Double Hydroxide for a Simultaneous Drug and Target Delivery System

Iron oxide nanoparticles are suitable for biomedical applications owing to their ability to anchor to various active agents and drugs, unique magnetic properties, nontoxicity, and biocompatibility. In this work, the physico-chemical and magnetic properties, as well as the cytotoxicity, of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with a polymeric carrier and loaded with a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) anti-cancer drug are discussed. The synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were coated with polyvinyl alcohol and Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide as the drug host. The XRD, DTA/TG, and FTIR analyzes confirmed the presence of the coating layer on the surface of nanoparticles. The results showed a decrease in saturation magnetization of bare Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles after coating with the PVA/5FU/Zn/Al-LDH layer. In addition, the presence of the coating prevented the agglomeration of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the pseudo-second-order equation governed the kinetics of drug release. Finally, the coated nanoparticles showed stronger activity against liver cancer cells (HepG2) compared to that of the naked 5-FU drug, and displayed no cytotoxicity towards 3T3 fibroblast cell lines. The results of the present study demonstrate the potential of a nano delivery system for cancer treatment.

Release of a liver anticancer drug, sorafenib from its PVA/LDH- and PEG/LDH-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for drug delivery applications

The use of nanocarriers composed of polyethylene glycol- and polyvinyl alcohol-coated vesicles encapsulating active molecules in place of conventional chemotherapy drugs can reduce many of the chemotherapy-associated challenges because of the increased drug concentration at the diseased area in the body. The present study investigated the structure and magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol as the basic surface coating agents. We used superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (FNPs) as the core and studied their effectiveness when two polymers, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), were used as the coating agents together with magnesium-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (MLDH) as the nanocarrier. In addition, the anticancer drug sorafenib (SO), was loaded on MLDH and coated onto the surface of the nanoparticles, to best exploit this nano-drug delivery system for biomedical applications. Samples were prepared by the co-precipitation method, and the resulting formation of the nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray, FTIR, TEM, SEM, DLS, HPLC, UV-Vis, TGA and VSM. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that all the as-synthesized samples contained highly crystalline and pure Fe3O4. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the shape of FPEGSO-MLDH nanoparticles was generally spherical, with a mean diameter of 17 nm, compared to 19 nm for FPVASO-MLDH. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of nanocarriers with polymer-coating on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles and the existence of loaded active drug consisting of sorafenib. Thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated the thermal stability of the nanoparticles, which displayed enhanced anticancer effect after coating. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) curves of both produced samples showed superparamagnetic behavior with the high saturation magnetization of 57 emu/g for FPEGSO-MLDH and 49 emu/g for FPVASO-MLDH. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed a narrow size distribution of both final samples. The SO drug loading and the release behavior from FPEGSO-MLDH and FPVASO-MLDH were assessed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. This evaluation showed around 85% drug release within 72 h, while 74% of sorafenib was released in phosphate buffer solution at pH 4.8. The release profiles of sorafenib from the two designed samples were found to be sustained according to pseudo-second-order kinetics. The cytotoxicity studies confirmed the anti-cancer activity of the coated nanoparticles loaded with SO against liver cancer cells, HepG2. Conversely, the drug delivery system was less toxic than the pure drug towards fibroblast-type 3T3 cells.

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Study of Magnetite Nanoparticles Coated with Polyethylene Glycol and Sorafenib-Zinc/Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide

In the last two decades, the development of novel approaches for cancer treatment has attracted intense attention due to the growing number of patients and the inefficiency of the available current conventional treatments. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method in an alkaline medium. Then the nanoparticles were chemically modified by coating them with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sorafenib (SO)-zinc/aluminum layered double hydroxide (ZLDH) to improve their biocompatibility. The SPIONs and their coated and drug-loaded nanoparticles, M-PEG-SO-ZLDH are of the crystalline phase with the presence of C, O, Al, Fe, Cl, Zn in the latter, indicating the presence of the coating layers on the surface of the SPIONs. The superparamagnetic properties of the bare SPIONs were found to be reduced but retained in its coated drug delivery nanoparticles, M-PEG-SO-ZLDH. The latter has an average particle size of 16 nm and the release of the drug from it was found to be governed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility evaluation of the drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles using 3T3 and HepG2 cells using the diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays shows that the synthesized nanoparticles were less toxic than the pure drug. This preliminary study indicates that the prepared nanoparticles are suitable to be used for the drug delivery system.

Layered Double Hydroxides Applications in the High-Performance Magnetic Nanomaterials

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), which is related to magnetic nanomaterials’ have promising applications due to their unique structural and chemical properties. The easy tunability of cationic metals without changing the LDH structure as well as anion exchange features of LDH interlayer make them potential applications in supercapacitors, batteries, catalysis, water splitting, etc. Moreover, due to the high dispersion of active compounds in the matrix of LDH layers, LDHs have been used to construct various nanostructures such as nanoparticles, 2D monolayer nanosheets and 3D hierarchical’ which are valued in wide nanotechnological applications. Magnetic nanomaterials are an important research area because they have been applied to a wide range of disciplines such as biotechnology, data storage, magnetic fluids, magnetic resonance imaging, environmental remediation and catalysis. LDHs as starting materials including Ni, Fe or/and Co, can be used as magnetic nanomaterials. The combination between LDHs and magnetic nanostructures has improved the magnetic properties of those materials, hence can be used in more applications.

Predictions of Drug-Protein Interactions and Study of Magnetically Assisted Release Dynamics of 5-Fluorouracil from Soya Protein-Coated Iron Oxide Core-Shell Nanoparticles

In silico studies were performed using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to explore the efficacy of template docking and facilitate designing of drug nanocarrier systems. The binding of human uridine phosphorylase (huPP1) with 5-FU was found to show the following interactions: (1) hydrogen bonds were alleviated by a network of GLN217 and ARG219, (2) hydrophobic interactions were shown by PHE213, THR141, LEU272, and ILE281 (3) positive electrostatic interactions were shown by PHE213, THR141, LEU272, SER142, GLU248, and GLY143. As an experimental supplementation and validation to the adopted computational approach, 5- FU-loaded soya protein-coated iron oxide (SPCIO) core-shell nanoparticles were prepared following microemulsion and co-precipitation techniques and subsequently characterized by FTIR, particle size and zeta potential studies, TEM, XRD, and DSC techniques. Whereas the FTIR spectra confirm the presence of the soya protein and drug 5-FU in the nanoparticles, the zeta potential was found to be suppressed due to the loading of 5-FU. The XRD study confirmed the crystalline nature of the drug-loaded nanoparticles. TEM analysis suggested that the nanoparticles have sizes up to 200 nm and the morphology and size remain almost the same even after loading of the drug 5-FU onto nanoparticles. The soya protein-coated iron oxide nanoparticles demonstrated zero cytotoxicity against fibroblast cells. The controlled release of 5-FU was studied in vitro, and the effects of pH, chemical composition of nanoparticles, extent of drug loading, and simulated biofluids on the controlled release of 5-FU were studied. The swelling of nanoparticles and release of 5-FU were found to increase with increasing strength of the externally applied magnetic field.

One-pot synthesis of the organomodified layered double hydroxides - glibenclamide biocompatible nanoparticles

In this work, synthesis of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) organomodified LDH Zn₂Al carrying glibenclamide (GLIB) was performed in one step and in one-pot to obtain nanoparticles (NP). XRD data showed GLIB adsolubilization (d = 14.03 Å) and NP coating with Eudragit L100®. In addition, thermal and XRD data showed exfoliated/intercalated nanocomposite for NP S5 (LDH associated with SDS and Eudragit L100®). LDH organophilization and GLIB intercalation reduced surface area (SBET 23.58 m²/g) and NP size (469 nm). In addition, the change in zeta potential (-35.5 ζ) relative to pristine LDH (SBET 41.34 m²/g, 688.8 nm and +14 ζ) indicated that LDH functionalization seems an appropriate approach to produce NP with greater colloidal stability and enhanced functionality. The zinc release data from the LDH matrix (2.96 % ±0.002 ppm) showed the effectiveness of the coating in acid medium (pH 1.2) and the release data from GLIB showed the kinetics of release of zero order with release in simulated intestinal medium (pH 7.4) of 88 % and 73 % (24 h) for uncoated and coated NP, respectively. All NP were considered biocompatible in the WST-1 assay on BALB 3T3 fibroblast strains making these NP promising therapeutically.