title: Preparation and characterization of magnetic gold nanoparticles to be used as doxorubicin nanocarriers.
abstract: Magnetic targeted drug delivery (MTD), using magnetic gold nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Au NPs) conjugated with an anti-cancer drug is a promise modality for cancer treatment. In this study, Fe3O4@Au NPs were prepared and functionalized with thiol-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG), then loaded with anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The physical properties of the prepared NPs were characterized using different techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the mono dispersed nature of Fe3O4@Au NPs with an average size of 20 nm which was confirmed using Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Zeta potential measurements along with UV-VIS spectroscopy demonstrated surface DOX loading on Fe3O4@Au NPs. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) assured the existence of both iron and gold elements in the prepared NPs. The paramagnetic properties of the prepared NPs were assessed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The maximum DOX-loading capacity was 100 μg DOX/mg of Fe3O4@Au NPs. It was found that DOX released more readily at acidic pH. In vitro studies on MCF-7 cell line elucidated that DOX loaded Fe3O4@Au NPs (Fe3O4@Au-PEG-DOX) have more potent therapeutic effect than free DOX. Knowledge gained in this study may open the door to pursue Fe3O4@Au NPs as a viable nanocarriers for different molecules delivery in many diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt. Electronic address: n_elbialy@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Nihal Saad
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Elbialy
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt. Electronic address: mohammed.elasal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammed Mahmoud
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fathy
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.
authors.forename: Wafaa Mohamed
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Khalil
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D065546:Drug Liberation; D004355:Drug Stability; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold; D004317:Doxorubicin
keywords: Doxorubicin; Drug delivery; Iron oxide nanoparticles; Nanoparticles