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Chitosan‐functionalized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles as an excellent biocompatible nanocarrier for silymarin delivery
Author(s) -
Zare Mahboobeh,
Sarkati Malihe Norouzi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.5416
Subject(s) - nanocarriers , chitosan , nuclear chemistry , nanoparticle , cytotoxicity , materials science , dpph , antioxidant , magnetic nanoparticles , mtt assay , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , in vitro , biochemistry
Abstract Silymarin (SIL) contains a various flavonolignans extracted from Silybum marianum and has an anti‐cancer properties against a variety of cancers. In this study, two types of improved nanocarriers based on iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) including chitosan anchored onto silica coated and uncoated Fe 3 O 4 MNPs (Cs‐ f ‐SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and Cs‐ f ‐Fe 3 O 4 MNPs) were successfully fabricated and characterized. Next, silymarin was loaded into the nanocarriers (SIL‐Cs‐ f‐SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and SIL‐Cs‐ f‐ Fe 3 O 4 MNPs). These systems were characterized and silymarin content, antioxidant activity and intrinsic cytotoxicity were assessed. The functionalization degree of silymarin was assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, finding 120 mg of SIL/g of Cs‐ f ‐SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and 99 mg of SIL/g of Cs‐MNPs. The antioxidant activity of the silymarin after loading into Cs‐ f‐ SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and Cs‐ f‐ Fe 3 O 4 MNPs was proved by DPPH method. These compounds have high antioxidant effect and their radical scavenging activity increased with increasing these concentrations. SIL‐Cs‐ f‐ SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs showed higher antioxidant activity than the SIL‐Cs‐ f ‐Fe 3 O 4 MNPs in same concentrations. The cytotoxicity of Cs‐ f‐ SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs and SIL‐Cs‐ f‐ SiO 2 @Fe 3 O 4 MNPs against MCF‐7 was investigated by MTT assay and IC50 values were 110.03 and 73.56 μgml −1 respectively. In conclusion, SIL‐loaded MNPs can be used as drug delivery system on target in the treatment of cancer cells.