Fabrication of Fe3O4/SiO2/Curcumin Nanohybrid Composites as New Antifibrotic Agents

Abstract

Abstract Liver fibrosis is one of the main threats to human health. To date, antifibrosis drugs encompass several problems, such as the limited treatment effects, lack of drug targeting, and toxic side effects. To increase the therapeutic efficacy in targeting liver fibrosis, scientists should study the development of nanocarriers and effective therapeutic strategies in drug targeting for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this study, Fe3O4/SiO2/curcumin (Cur) nanohybrid composites have been successfully synthesized and used as antifibrosis drugs in animal liver cells, which were induced with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The composition, shape, size, and magnetic properties of the nanocarrier contributed to the successful targeting of antifibrotic agents. Structural studies using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray, and transmission electron microscopy were also carried out. The magnetic properties of the nanocarrier to the sensitivity of the external magnetic field were tested using vibrating sample magnetometry. Furthermore, preclinical tests in the form of antibacterial and antifungal tests were performed. From these characterizations, the Fe3O4/SiO2/Cur nanohybrid composites showed good inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth. To determine the efficacy of Fe3O4/SiO2/Cur nanohybrid composites, we conducted serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase hytests. Notably, the Fe3O4/SiO2/Cur nanohybrid composites significantly reduced serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels (p < 0.05). Thus, the Fe3O4/SiO2/Cur nanohybrid composites can reduce CCl4-induced liver injury.