Green Synthesis of γ-Fe۲O۳@SiO۲ Coated by an Antiviral Drug Cidofovir as New Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Cytotoxicity Properties

Green synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) is a highly fascinating research area and has gained importance due to its reliable, sustainable, and eco-friendly protocol for synthesizing nanoparticles, along with the easy availability of plant materials and their pharmacological significance. This study introduces an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and simple method for producing maghemite (γ-Fe۲O۳) using the extract from the outer layer (papery husk) of physalis angulata fruit, and then apply a silica coating. Afterwards, the surface of produced γ-Fe۲O۳@SiO۲ magnetic nanoparticles (γ-Fe۲O۳@SiO۲ MNPs) is modified with the antiviral drug "cidofovir" (CDV). The aim of this study is to create a dual-purpose treatment that has both antiviral and anticancer effects. The nanoparticles were characterized using various methods including FTIR, VSM, TEM, SEM-EDX, zeta potential measurements, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis. The results indicated that the average sizes of γ-Fe۲O۳@SiO۲-CDV MNPs were about ۲۰.۴۵ nm. The cytotoxicity effect of γ-Fe۲O۳ MNPs, CDV, and γ-Fe۲O۳@SiO۲-CDV MNPs was tested toward MCF-۷ cell line using MTT assay. The loading of CDV on γ-Fe۲O۳ MNPs leads to a remarkable enhancement of the anticancer and biological effect of CDV.

Keywords:

Iron oxide NPs , Green synthesis , Magnetite nanoparticles , Extract , Antiviral , Cidofovir