Hydrophilic Magnetite Nanoparticles Enhance Anticancer Activity of Anthracyclines In Vitro

Abstract

A novel method for enhancing the anticancer activity of anthracyclines in vitro was proposed by using hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles. Citric acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles Fe3O4 (nano-Fe3O4-CA) interacted with anthracyclines by electrostatic and hydrophobic forces, resulting in the formation of aggregates (nano-Fe3O4-CA-drug). The aggregate was studied by resonance light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that in comparison with anthracyclines, the nano-Fe3O4-CA-drug showed high activity towards incorporation in the DNA chain. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of nano-Fe3O4-CA-drug was investigated by cytotoxicity experiment and cell morphology study. The results confirmed that the nano-Fe3O4-CA-drug could inhibit the growth of cells more effectively than the drug alone. In conclusion, usage of nano-Fe3O4-CA affords reduction of the dosage of anthracyclines in vitro.