Magnetically targeted delivery of Quercetin-loaded Ca1–xMnxFe2O4 nanocarriers: synthesis, characterization and in vitro study on HEK 293-T and MCF-7 cell lines

In this study, spinel ferrite nanocarriers Ca1–xMnxFe2O4 (0 < x < 1) were fabricated by thermal treatment at 873 K. Different techniques were used to study of structural characteristics and physical properties of ferrite nanocarriers in various concentrations. The highest drug loading was in the x = 0.4 sample and the lowest was observed in the x = 0.6 and x = 0.8 samples. The rapid initial release of Quercetin (Que) occurred at both pH values (5.5 and 7.4), which may be due to the diffusion of Que bound to the surface of nanocarriers (NCs). Although each nanocarrier had its release behavior, with decreased pH from 7.4 to 5.5, the values of Que release percentage increased and x = 0.8 and x = 0.6 samples showed the highest release percentage in both media. The cytotoxicity of NCs and Que-loaded on NCs against HEK 293-T human cells was investigated using the MTT assay. Mild cellular activity of x = 0, x = 0.2, and x = 0.4 NCs may have resulted from Que phenoxyl radicals. The cell viability of cancer cells was examined using the MTT method that was different for each sample at different concentrations, the proliferation of MCF-7 cells was prevented in a dose-dependent manner up by increasing the concentration to 60 µg/ml. The percent hemolytic activity of NCs was also determined by hemolysis assay, but no significant hemolytic activity was observed.