PH-sensitive biocompatible mesoporous magnetic nanoparticles labeled with folic acid as an efficient carrier for controlled anticancer drug delivery

Abstract

A qualified nanocarrier for drug delivery to tumor cells based on magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMSNs), consisting of Fe3O4 core coated with mesoporous silica and a pH-responsive shell of poly (ethyleneimine) conjugated folic acid was prepared. The nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques including dynamic light scattering (DLS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM and TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Erlotinib as a model anticancer drug was loaded and the release profile was evaluated at pH of 5.5 and 7.4 during 4 days. At lower pH, Erlotinib release amount increased to 63% in comparison with 33% at normal pH. Hemolysis assay results confirmed negligible hemolytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles. No significant toxicity was observed for Erlotinib free MMSNs, while the Erlotinib loaded MMSNs inhibited proliferation of HeLa cell lines. Furthermore, folic acid labeled nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity effect on cancerous HeLa cells. Accordingly, the results suggest a controlled targeted drug delivery system to decrease the side effects of anti-cancer drugs.