β-Cyclodextrin-Modified Cobalt Nanoparticles as 5-Fluorouracil Carriers

Metal nanoparticles having magnetic properties are exciting for application in the directed transport of anticancer drugs encapsulated in them. To ensure drug-loading capacity and controlled release, surface modification with host molecules is a fascinating choice. In this paper, we report the synthesis and surface modification of magnetic cobalt metal nanoparticles with oligosaccharide host molecules (beta-cyclodextrin) tethered on the surface. A beta-cyclodextrin-folate derivative is synthesized and characterized using Infrared-, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Deposition Ionization-Time of Flight mass spectrometry. The size of the cobalt nanoparticles carrying the host molecule on the surface is similar to 10 nm. The nanoparticles are characterized using X-Ray Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy, particle size analyzer, Energy-Dispersive X-ray, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The bare magnetic nanoparticles also show a strong saturation magnetization of 142.21 emu g(-1). The chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil is loaded on the surface-modified cobalt nanoparticles through host: guest complexation mode and its controlled release is measured in-vitro. The slow release is spread over more than 14 days, and a complete release of the loaded therapeutic cargo is not reached. The release is pH-dependent and changes with acidic levels of the medium. The anticancer activity of the drug-loaded nanocarrier on MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) cells is investigated. The mechanism of cell death is studied, and the cells are found inhibited in the synthesis phase. Flow cytometric analysis shows that 79.70 % of the empty nanocarrier-treated and 74.86 % 5-fluorouracil-loaded nanocarrier-treated MDA-MB-231 cells were in the early apoptosis phase. This new combination nanocarrier is intriguing owing to its structural and magnetic properties, and the action on cell lines.