Novel cytotoxicity study of strontium (Sr) doped iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles aided with ibuprofen for drug delivery applications

Abstract

PurposeThis work aimed to study the drug delivery applications of iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles with strontium (Sr) doping with varying molar ratios prepared by the co-precipitation route. The impact of increased strontium content on the particle size and magnetic properties was investigated. The impending of these nanoparticles for drug loading, drug release, and their respective cytotoxicity was also inspected. MethodsFirst, iron oxide nanoparticles were doped with various amounts of strontium, from 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75, to 1 mole using co-precipitation method. These synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, VSM, and FTIR for evaluating crystal structure, phase purity, morphology, composition, magnetic properties, and functional groups, respectively. Drug loading and drug release properties were determined using UV-vis spectroscopy, whereas MTT assay evaluated cytotoxicity. ResultsThe ndings con rmed the successful doping of iron oxide with strontium via XRD and EDX. SEM results con rmed spherical morphology for all and needle-like structure for 1 mole strontium doped sample. For VSM results, a single domain structure was established. It was also observed that the drug encapsulation e ciency increases with increased strontium content. Cytotoxicity results by MTT assay revealed increased cytotoxicity with increasing nanoparticle concentration, and ibuprofen-loaded nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity than unloaded nanoparticles at the same concentration. ConclusionThis study provided predominantly comparison of the cytotoxicity of ibuprofen-loaded and non-loaded nanoparticles on Hep-2 cancer cells at similar concentrations for the rst time for both Fe 3 O 4 particles and Sr-doped Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and enclosed the impact of increasing Sr doping content on Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.

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

“…Doped-IONPs can be synthesized by coprecipitation (CP), green combustion (GC), sol–gel process (SGP), chemical polymerization approach (CPA), microwave-assisted process (MAP), hydrothermal approach (HDA). ,,,,,− Multiple types of dopants, e.g. , cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, and rare-earth elements are broadly applied for doping purposes. ,,,, At present, doped-IONPs have found widespread applications in drug delivery, antimicrobial and anticancer activities, MRI imaging agent. − Moreover, when doped-IONPs are employed as antimicrobial agents, transition metals are mainly utilized due to their antimicrobial characteristics in their bulk form …”

“…MFH is a potential treatment technique that uses magnetic doped-IONPs exposed to an alternating magnetic field to heat malignant tissues to 40–43 °C . Doped-IONPs also exhibited controlled drug delivery, enhanced targeted delivery, improved stability and biocompatibility. , In addition to that doped-IONPs are becoming essential for photodynamic therapy carrier due to its ability to penetrate deeply . Moreover, environmental remedies, e.g ., water treatment, can be performed by utilizing the absorbance ability of doped-IONPs .…”