Gum arabic-coated magnetic nanoparticles for potential application in simultaneous magnetic targeting and tumor imaging.
Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP) coated with gum arabic (GA), a biocompatible phytochemical glycoprotein widely used in the food industry, were successfully synthesized and characterized. GA-coated MNP (GA-MNP) displayed a narrow hydrodynamic particle size distribution averaging about 100 nm; a GA content of 15.6% by dry weight; a saturation magnetization of 93.1 emu/g Fe; and a superparamagnetic behavior essential for most magnetic-mediated applications. The GA coating offers two major benefits: it both enhances colloidal stability and provides reactive functional groups suitable for coupling of bioactive compounds. In vitro results showed that GA-MNP possessed a superior stability upon storage in aqueous media when compared to commercial MNP products currently used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, significant cellular uptake of GA-MNP was evaluated in 9L glioma cells by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and MRI analyses. Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that GA-MNP might be utilized as a MRI-visible drug carrier in achieving both magnetic tumor targeting and intracellular drug delivery. Indeed, preliminary in vivo investigations validate this clinical potential. MRI visually confirmed the accumulation of GA-MNP at the tumor site following intravenous administration to rats harboring 9L glioma tumors under the application of an external magnetic field. ESR spectroscopy quantitatively revealed a 12-fold increase in GA-MNP accumulation in excised tumors when compared to contralateral normal brain. Overall, the results presented show promise that GA-MNP could potentially be employed to achieve simultaneous tumor imaging and targeted intra-tumoral drug delivery.
Zhang
Lei
L
Tianjin Key Laboratory for Modern Drug Delivery and High Efficiency, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Yu
Faquan
F
Cole
Adam J
AJ
Chertok
Beata
B
David
Allan E
AE
Wang
Jingkang
J
Yang
Victor C
VC
D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004355:Drug Stability; D005079:Excipients; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology; D006170:Gum Arabic; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008280:Magnetics; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012235:Rhodamines; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D004337:Drug Carriers; D005079:Excipients; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines; C000499:ferric oxide; D006170:Gum Arabic; C029773:rhodamine B