Cytotoxicity of Folate-β-Cyclodextrin-Dextran-Grafted Calcium-Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles

Magnetic field-assisted drug delivery is a fascinating strategy to transport chemotherapeutic drugs. Ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) of the form MFe2O4 are a good choice for utilization as magnetic nanocarriers. Although many ferrite NPs have been tested for their function as nanocarriers, their nonspecific toxicity must be minimized. In this work, calcium-nickel ferrite nanoparticles (CNF MNPs) coated with dextran-beta-cyclodextrin and dextran-beta-cyclodextrin-dextran polymers are reported. The synthesized NPs are characterized using XRD, TEM, EDX and XPS. The magnetic properties are investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry. The 20 nm-sized CNF MNPs fall in the size range suitable for cancer drug transport. The magnetic nanocarriers containing the polymers are superparamagnetic. The camptothecin (CPT) loading efficiency is observed as 88%. The in vitro CPT release profiles are sustained, displaying a continuous release for a period of above 45 h. The cytotoxicity studies on A549 cell lines reveal that the CPT-loaded CNF MNPs are active against them and can be used as an anticancer drug carrier.

Automated summary

This study reports calcium-nickel ferrite nanoparticles coated with polymers as magnetic nanocarriers, which exhibit superparamagnetic properties and sustained drug release capability.