Green synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles for hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging and 5-fluorouracil carrier in potential colorectal cancer treatment

Abstract

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) have received considerable attention in various biomedical applications due to their fascinating properties and multiple functionalities. In this multidisciplinary study, Fe3O4 NPs were produced by an inexpensive co-precipitation technique and using four different weight percentages of Punica granatum fruit peel extract as a green stabilizer. From the image of transmission electron microscopy, the NPs showed spherical shapes with an average size of 14.38 nm. Results of UV–VIS spectroscopy and bandgap indicated successful preparation of the Fe3O4 NPs stabilized with the extract. Adding the stabilizer concentration improved the particle zeta potential from −29.24 to −35.62 mV. Thermoresponsive performance of the Fe3O4 nanofluids with the green extract could render a remarkable heating capability under the hyperthermia condition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis presented that the samples possessed acceptable MRI signals. An anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil was successfully loaded onto the Fe3O4 NPs containing 2 weight percentage of the extract, which indicated a maximum release of 79% in a media with pH 7.4. In cytotoxicity assays, the drug-loaded Fe3O4 NPs at 15.62 and 31.25 µg.ml−1 concentration eliminated 29% and 35% of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells, respectively. This study, therefore, introduced that the green-synthesized Fe3O4 NPs can be a promising candidate for magnetic hyperthermia therapy, MRI nanoagents and drug delivery in colorectal cancer.