Surface modified multifunctional ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for hydrophobic and hydrophilic anti-cancer drug molecule loading

Abstract

Multifunctional ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via thermolysis of Fe-oleate and Zn-oleate precursors. Monodisperse, single phase ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with an average particle size of ∼22 nm, exhibiting green emission (λ_max ∼ 480 nm) and ferromagnetism at room temperature (saturation magnetization of 48.46 emu gm⁻¹) have been formed by this novel approach. By appropriate surface functionalization, these materials have been converted into smart carriers of hydrophobic (water insoluble) drug molecule-curcumin and hydrophilic (water soluble) drug molecule-daunorubicin. The in vitro cytotoxicity of both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug loaded ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was studied using the conventional MTT assay which revealed that the drug loaded nanoparticles induce significant death of the carcinoma cells (HeLa). Interestingly, this appears to be a significant development towards the capability of surface functionalized multifunctional ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles as carriers for both water soluble and insoluble drugs for anti-cancer therapy.