Preparation and characterization of doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles on AGS and MCF-7 cancer cells

Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the nano carriers that are suitable for novel drug delivery systems due to low toxicity, biocompatibility, loading capacity and controlled drug delivery to cancer cells. The purpose of this study is the synthesis of coated iron oxide nanoparticles for delivery of Doxorubicin (DOX) and its effects on cancer cells. In this study, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by Polyol method, and then doxorubicin was loaded onto PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles. FT-IR was used to ensure PEG binding to nanoparticles and loading the drug onto nanoshell. Comparison of the mean size and the crystalline structure of nanoparticles were performed by TEM and X-ray diffraction pattern. Then, the effect of cytotoxicity was evaluated on AGS and MCF-7 cancer cells by MTT assay. According to FT-IR results, the presence of O-H and C-H bands at 2927 cm-1 and 3392 cm-1 peaks correlated with PEG binding to nanoparticles. XRD pattern showed the cubic spinel structure of trapped magnetite nanoparticles carrying medium with a mean size of 14 nm. 21.67% of Doxorubicin was loaded into Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles, which the highest drug release recorded during the first 24 hours. MTT assay at 24, 48 and 72 h treatments showed that with increasing concentrations of doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles from 0 to 50 μm, the cytotoxic effects of the drug gradually increase. This study showed that PEGylation of iron oxide nanoparticles and using them in drug delivery process to increase the effect of Doxorubicin on AGS and MCF-7 cancer cells