scholarly journals Lipid Cubic Mesophases Combined with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Hybrid Multifunctional Platform with Tunable Magnetic Properties for Nanomedical Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (17) ◽  
pp. 9268
Author(s):  
Lucrezia Caselli ◽  
Marco Mendozza ◽  
Beatrice Muzzi ◽  
Alessandra Toti ◽  
Costanza Montis ◽  
...  

Hybrid materials composed of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and lipid self-assemblies possess considerable applicative potential in the biomedical field, specifically, for drug/nutrient delivery. Recently, we showed that SPIONs-doped lipid cubic liquid crystals undergo a cubic-to-hexagonal phase transition under the action of temperature or of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This transition triggers the release of drugs embedded in the lipid scaffold or in the water channels. In this contribution, we address this phenomenon in depth, to fully elucidate the structural details and optimize the design of hybrid multifunctional carriers for drug delivery. Combining small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) with a magnetic characterization, we find that, in bulk lipid cubic phases, the cubic-to-hexagonal transition determines the magnetic response of SPIONs. We then extend the investigation from bulk liquid-crystalline phases to colloidal dispersions, i.e., to lipid/SPIONs nanoparticles with cubic internal structure (“magnetocubosomes”). Through Synchrotron SAXS, we monitor the structural response of magnetocubosomes while exposed to an AMF: the magnetic energy, converted into heat by SPIONs, activates the cubic-to-hexagonal transition, and can thus be used as a remote stimulus to spike drug release “on-demand”. In addition, we show that the AMF-induced phase transition in magnetocubosomes steers the realignment of SPIONs into linear string assemblies and connect this effect with the change in their magnetic properties, observed at the bulk level. Finally, we assess the internalization ability and cytotoxicity of magnetocubosomes in vitro on HT29 adenocarcinoma cancer cells, in order to test the applicability of these smart carriers in drug delivery applications.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Ebrahimi ◽  
Maryam Karimi ◽  
Hasan Sereshti ◽  
Mohsen Yousefifar

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are increasingly used in medical applications due to their unique physical properties. They are useful carriers for delivering antitumour drugs in targeted cancer treatment. In this study, amido acid-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles (AAFMNs) are used as drug-delivery vehicles for doxorubicine as an efficient tool for the treatment of cancer. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesised using a co-precipitation method. The prepared iron oxide nanoparticles were then functionalised with amido acid functional groups. Finally, the synthesised AAFMNs were used for the delivery of doxorubicine. AAFMNs were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and zeta potential. An in vitro-determined hydrodynamic diameter of ∼80 nm suggested their applicability for this purpose. The findings show that AAFMNs are a promising tool for potential magnetic drug delivery.


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