β-Cyclodextrin based magnetic nanoconjugates for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy

Abstract

β-Cyclodextrin was conjugated with diisocyanate modified Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles through urethane linkages to obtain magnetic nanoconjugates. The nanoconjugates were characterized for thermal, magnetic and structural properties by using TGA & DSC, VSM and FTIR respectively. Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and XRD were used to study the morphology and changes in crystalline nature of magnetic nanoconjugates respectively. Dacarbazine, an anticancer drug, was considered as a model drug for loading and release studies. It was observed that by controlling the stoichiometry of urethane linkages, the surface accessible inclusion sites of cyclodextrin could be controlled thereby achieving command over entrapment efficiency and release behaviour of nanoconjugates. The nanoconjugates did not show significant cytotoxicity although dacarbazine loaded ones showed selective toxicity against chosen cancer cell lines with distorted cellular and nuclear morphology. The prepared nanocarriers thus can provide a strong platform for magnetic tumour targeting under guidance of magnetic field and through cyclodextrin-drug complexation.