Structure, magnetoelectric, and anticancer activities of core-shell Co0.8Mn0.2R0.02Fe1.98O4@BaTiO3 nanocomposites (R = Ce, Eu, Tb, Tm, or Gd)

In the present study, Co0.8Mn0.2R0.02Fe1.98O4(CoMnRFe) (R = Ce, Eu, Tb, Tm, or Gd) nanoparticles (NPs) have been prepared and coated with BaTiO3 (BTO) using sonochemical and sol-gel methods to form various core-shell CoMnRFe@BTO magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENs). The structure and morphologies of CoMnRFe@BTO MENs were assessed by XRD, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, EDX, XPS, and zeta potential techniques. The formation of core-shell CoMnRFe@BTO MENs was approved by XRD and HRTEM. SEM analysis of core-shell MENs revealed aggregation of spherical grains. The impact of CoMnRFe NPs and CoMnRFe@BTO MENs on human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) were examined and compared to normal non-cancerous cells (HEK-293) by using MTT assay and DAPI staining. After 48 h of treatment, it was found that CoMnRFe NPs showed a significant inhibitory effect on HCT-116 cells. Also, HEK-293 cells showed inhibitory action, but the percentage of cells viability was higher than HCT-116 cells. When HCT-116 cells are treated with CoMnRFe@BTO MENs, it showed a better cytotoxic effect compared to HEK-293 cells. In addition, CoMnRFe NPs and CoMnRFe@BTO MENs induced apoptotic cell death as revealed by DAPI staining. Our results suggest that CoMnRFe NPs and CoMnRFe@BTO MENs possess anti-colon cancer capabilities, but CoMnRFe@BTO MENs are safe materials as they do not cause any significant cytotoxic effect on HEK-293 cells compared to CoMnRFe NPs.

Automated summary

In this study, core-shell CoMnRFe@BTO magnetoelectric nanoparticles were prepared and shown to exhibit significant inhibitory effects on human colon cancer cells, especially HCT-116 cells. Additionally, both CoMnRFe NPs and CoMnRFe@BTO MENs induced apoptotic cell death.