Patchy Core/Shell, Magnetite/Silver Nanoparticles via Green and Facile Synthesis: Routes to Assure Biocompatibility

Abstract

Nanomedicine is entering a high maturity stage and is ready to reach full translation into the clinical practice. This is because of the ample spectrum of applications enabled by a large arsenal of nanostructured materials. In particular, bimetallic patchy core/shell nanoparticles offer tunable surfaces that allow multifunctional responses. Despite their attractiveness, major challenges regarding the environmental impact and biocompatibility of the obtained materials are yet to be solved. Here, we developed a green synthesis scheme to prepare highly biocompatible patchy core/shell magnetite/silver nanoparticles for biological and biomedical applications. The magnetite core was synthesized by the co-precipitation of ferric chloride and ferrous chloride in the presence of NaOH. This was followed by the patchy silver shell’s growth by a green synthesis approach based on natural honey as a reducing agent. A purification process allowed selecting the target patchy nanoparticles and removing excess toxic reagents from the synthesis very efficiently. The obtained patchy magnetite/silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM + EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The morphology, patchiness level, and size of the nanoparticles were determined via SEM and TEM. In addition, the spectrophotometric characterization confirmed the presence of the patchy silver coating on the surface of the magnetite core. The nanoparticles show high biocompatibility, as evidenced by low cytotoxicity, hemolytic effect, and platelet aggregation tendency. Our study also provides details for the conjugation of multiples chemistries on the surface of the patchy bimetallic nanoparticles, which might be useful for emerging applications in nanomedicine, where high biocompatibility is of the utmost importance.

Synthesis and design of Ag–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles as antimicrobial synergistic combination therapies against clinically relevant pathogens

“…Another study evaluated magnetite/silver nanoparticles biocompatibility in Vero cells (Kidney epithelial cells). The results evidenced low cytotoxicity, hemolytic, and platelet aggregation tendency, which confirm a high biocompatibility 54 . Moreover, a cytotoxicity study of iron-silver core–shell nanoparticles (FeO/AgNPs) was carried out on Vero cell line, and the results showed that these nanoparticles were biocompatible up to 500 µgml −1 concentration.…”

Synthesis, Characterization, and Functionalization of Chitosan and Gelatin Type B Nanoparticles to Develop Novel Highly Biocompatible Cell-Penetrating Agents

“…An appealing approach is to combine both translocating agents and nanomaterials. In this regard, we have developed novel nanobioconjugates by interfacing magnetite with cell-penetrating proteins and peptides [8][9][10][11][12][13].When developing nanocarriers for endosomal escape, an important obstacle is the limited availability of analytical methods to quantitatively measure the escape efficiency while detecting the endosomal pathways involved. One strategy consists of labeling the nanocarriers with fluorescent molecules to estimate their colocalization with endosomes via confocal imaging [7].…”

“…Type B gelatin was used due to its low price, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Simultaneously, chitosan has antibacterial and mucoadhesive properties, plus the different molecular weights can potentially lead to favor different routes of intracellular trafficking and endosomal escape [7,8]. The NPs' synthesis and functionalization were corroborated via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).…”

Green synthesis of biocompatible core–shell (Au–Ag) and hybrid (Au–ZnO and Ag–ZnO) bimetallic nanoparticles and evaluation of their potential antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiglycation and anticancer activities

“…Magnetite/silver NPs showed negligible hemolysis 1% at concentration up to 200 μg mL −1 while increase in hemolysis was observed with increase in concentration. 75 Another type of Ag–Pd NPs were also found biocompatible with RBCs up to its maximum dose of 200 μg mL −1 . 76 Our BNPs are also safe for human use as an alternate drug since 5% hemolysis is acceptable for biomaterials.…”