A composite of graphene oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery of temozolomide

A magnetic targeting nanoparticle based on graphene oxide-ferroferric oxide (GO-Fe3O4) was investigated as a potential drug delivery vehicle. The formation of GO/Fe3O4 hybrid material was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The GO/Fe3O4 hybrid still shows a higher saturation magnetization of 58.42 emu/g after coating with graphene oxide. Drug loading and releasing experiments demonstrate the GO-Fe3O4 hybrid has a good loading capacity of (6.47 +/- 0.08) mg/mg for temozolomide and a satisfactory release under slightly acidic condition. The MTT assays of glioma C6 cells exhibits the GO-Fe3O4 hybrid does not display toxicity with the concentration ranged from 40 to 120 mu g/mL in vitro, while the complex of temozolomide loaded on GO/Fe3O4 has a better inhibitory effect on the proliferation of rat glioma C6 cells. All results suggest the prepared GO/Fe3O4 has potential applications in targeted anticancer drug delivery.