Calcium carbonate microparticles show enhanced anti-cancer properties under the influence of a magnetic field

Abstract

Calcium carbonate particles have drawn significant interest in recent years as an adaptable and efficient drug-delivery system, particularly in the field of cancer research. Calcium carbonate nanoparticles are reported to possess excellent anti-cancer properties due to their properties, such as biocompatibility, pH sensitivity and cost-effectiveness. Calcium carbonate is also a biologically safe material, and its application in therapy does not elicit toxic side effects. It has been widely used as a drug-delivery platform for carrying anti-cancer drugs. While the anti-cancer properties of calcium carbonate at the nanoscale are well documented, the use of calcium carbonate microparticles in anti-cancer therapy remains relatively unexplored. In this study, calcium carbonate microparticles were synthesized, and their anti-cancer properties were examined in HeLa cells under a magnetic field. We found that all three polymorphs of calcium carbonate, calcite, aragonite and vaterite, were formed when exposed to the magnetic field. The presence of these polymorphs was confirmed by FTIR, XRD and FESEM analysis. Further, the concentration of calcium ions released from the calcium carbonate microparticles increased when subjected to the magnetic field. MTT analysis and subsequent microscopic examination confirmed the enhanced anti-cancer properties of the magnetically exposed calcium carbonate microparticles in HeLa cells. Our results indicate that in addition to their use as a drug-delivery platform, calcium carbonate microparticles can also serve as effective anti-cancer agents.