Chitosan‐functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as an excellent biocompatible nanocarrier for silymarin delivery

Abstract

Silymarin (SIL) contains a various flavonolignans extracted from Silybum marianum and has an anti-cancer properties against a variety of cancers. In this study, two types of improved nanocarriers based on iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) including chitosan anchored onto silica coated and uncoated Fe 3 O 4 MNPs (Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and Cs-f-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs) were successfully fabricated and characterized. Next, silymarin was loaded into the nanocarriers (SIL-Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and SIL-Cs-f-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs). These systems were characterized and silymarin content, antioxidant activity and intrinsic cytotoxicity were assessed. The functionalization degree of silymarin was assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, finding 120 mg of SIL/g of Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and 99 mg of SIL/g of Cs-MNPs. The antioxidant activity of the silymarin after loading into Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and Cs-f-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs was proved by DPPH method. These compounds have high antioxidant effect and their radical scavenging activity increased with increasing these concentrations. SIL-Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs showed higher antioxidant activity than the SIL-Cs-f-Fe 3 O 4 MNPs in same concentrations. The cytotoxicity of Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and SIL-Cs-f-SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs against MCF-7 was investigated by MTT assay and IC50 values were 110.03 and 73.56 μgml À1 respectively. In conclusion, SIL-loaded MNPs can be used as drug delivery system on target in the treatment of cancer cells.

Hyaluronic acid‐folic acid‐modified Fe3O4 magnetic nanocarriers for targeted delivery of piperine: Formation, characterization, and biological study

“…According to the literature, 19 Fe 3 O 4 MNPs were prepared and then APTES was grafted on the Fe 3 O 4 MNP surface 33 …”

“…The antioxidant capacity of the Fe 3 O 4 ‐NH‐HA‐FA MNPs and Fe 3 O 4 ‐NH‐HA‐FA/PIP MNPs was assayed by DPPH radical according to a previous procedure 19 …”

“…The surface engineering of MNPs via grafting of various inorganic and organic polymer can protect them from agglomeration and increase the bioavailability of drugs. Furthermore, modifying the surface of MNPs by suitable drug trapping agents is an important strategy to afford efficient drug loading and release 16–19 . Biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) has low toxicity and immunogenicity, and it is biodegradable.…”

“…Furthermore, modifying the surface of MNPs by suitable drug trapping agents is an important strategy to afford efficient drug loading and release. [16][17][18][19] Biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) has low toxicity and immunogenicity, and it is biodegradable. For these reasons, the therapeutic applications of HA have been developed in several fields including osteoarthritis, ophthalmology, tissue regeneration, wound healing, anesthetic medicine, and postoperative antiadhesion.…”

Magnetic Ti3C2 MXene Nanomaterials for Doxorubicin Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions: Kinetic, Isotherms, and Thermodynamic Studies

“…As depicted in Figure 4 , Fe 3 O 4 , Ti 3 C 2 @Fe 3 O 4 , and Ti 3 C 2 @Fe 3 O 4 @β-CD show similar diffraction patterns. Six characteristic peaks (2θ = 30.09, 35.47, 43.11, 53.61, 56.95, and 62.63°) were indexed to (220), (311), (400), (422), (511), and (440), respectively, 39 which match the face center cubic phase of Fe 3 O 4 (JCPDS Card No. 19-629).…”