Abstract
In the current study, we proposed a facile method for fabrication of multifunctional pH- and thermo-sensitive magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) as a theranostic agent for using in targeted drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To this end, we decorated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), best known for their pH- and thermo-sensitive properties, respectively. We also conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to polymer matrix acting as drug container to enhance the drug encapsulation efficacy. Methotroxate (MTX) as a model drug was successfully loaded in MNCs (M-MNCs) via surface adsorption onto MSNs and electrostatic interaction between drug and carrier. The pH- and temperature-triggered release of MTX was concluded through the evaluation of in vitro release at both physiological and simulated tumor tissue conditions. Based on in vitro cytotoxicity assay results, M-MNCs significantly revealed higher antitumor activity compared to free MTX. In vitro MR susceptibility experiment showed that M-MNCs relatively possessed high transverse relaxivity (r2) of about 0.15 mM−1·ms−1 and a linear relationship between the transverse relaxation rate (R2) and the Fe concentration in the M-MNCs was also demonstrated. Therefore, the designed MNCs can potentially become smart drug carrier, while they also can be promising MRI negative contrast agent.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.