Supermagnatic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Toxicity to Mammalian Cells

\The present study investigates developing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) as controlled release anticancer agents. SPIONs were synthesized (NP1, NP2, NP3) and large crystal growth particles (NP3, 50 nm) were loaded with anticancer drug, doxorubicin (NP4). Drug release assay from NP4 revealed 44% drug release in 24 h with no further release up to 96 h. The nanoparticles were tested for their toxicity to human cells, HEp-2 using MIT assay. HEp-2 cells, showed 90% viability upto 250 mu g/ml nanoparticles concentration. Both bare and drug loaded nanoparticles were then tested for their efficacy to kill mouse mammary tumor 4T1 cells. NP4 were able to kill 50% 4T1 cells at 75 mu g /ml whereas NP3 caused 50% cell death at 150 mu g/ml concentration. Our results indicate SPIONs to be a good drug delivery agent against cancer cells with low toxicity towards normal healthy cells.