Shell‐sheddable and charge switchable magnetic nanoparticle as pH‐sensitive nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery applications

Abstract

AbstractA pH‐sensitive shell‐sheddable magnetic nanocarrier was prepared based on Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles coated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG). The PEI was coated on Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles through an electrostatic attraction and the PEG chains were connected to the PEI via pH‐sensitive benzoic‐imine bonds. The synthesized products and final nanocarrier were characterized with FT‐IR, 1H NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta‐potential, TEM, and vibrating‐sample magnetometer (VSM). The PEI, as a middle layer, was used to load the curcumin (an anticancer drug) via van der Waals interactions and the shedding of PEG as a hydrophilic corona at the tumor pH (acidic) could induce the release of the drug. The curcumin loading content was found to be ~15% and curcumin‐loaded magnetic nanoparticles (C‐LMNs) showed more triggered release at the tumor pH (5.6) than physiological pH (7.4). In comparison to pure magnetic nanoparticles (MNs), the C‐LMNs showed more cytotoxicity to human prostate cancer cell (PC‐3) and also resulted in an increased rate of late apoptotic/necrotic PC‐3 cells, assessed by flow cytometry analysis. In conclusion, the C‐LMN as pH‐ and magnetic responsive nanocarrier showed good potential for targeted curcumin delivery in therapy of prostate cancer.