Magnetically controlled release of cisplatin from superparamagnetic starch nanoparticles

The present study involves a novel strategy for the preparation of superparamagnetic nanoparticles of crosslinked starch impregnated with homogeneously dispersed nanosized iron oxide. The nanoparticles were loaded with an anticancer drug 'cisplatin' and the drug release kinetics was investigated spectrophotometrically at physiological pH (7.4). The nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction and magnetization studies. The particle size of magnetic starch nanoparticles was found to lie in the range of 20-90 nm. The influence of factors like chemical composition of nanoparticles, pH and temperature of the release media and applied magnetic field was investigated on the release profiles of the drug. The prepared nanoparticles could provide a possible pathway for targeted and controlled delivery of anticancer drugs minimizing side effects and achieving higher efficacy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.