Synthesis and characterization of chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles and their application in curcumin drug delivery

Xuan Nui Pham, Tan Phuoc Nguyen, Tuyet Nhung Pham, Thi Thuy Nga Tran and Thi Van Thi Tran

Abstract

In this work anti-cancer drug curcumin-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles was modified by chitosan (CS). The magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using reverse micro-emulsion (water-in-oil) method. The magnetic nanoparticles without loaded drug and drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, SEM, TEM, and VSM techniques. These nanoparticles have almost spherical shape and their diameter varies from 8 nm to 17 nm. Measurement of VSM at room temperature showed that iron oxide nanoparticles have superparamagnetic properties. In vitro drug loading and release behavior of curcumin drug-loaded CS-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were studied by using UV-spectrophotometer. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the modified nanoparticles has shown anticancer activity against A549 cell with IC₅₀ value of 73.03 μg/ml. Therefore, the modified magnetic nanoparticles can be used as drug delivery carriers on target in the treatment of cancer cells