Development and Characterization of Fe3O4@Carbon Nanoparticles and Their Biological Screening Related to Oral Administration

Abstract

The current study presents the effect of naked Fe3O4@Carbon nanoparticles obtained by the combustion method on primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and primary gingival keratinocytes (PGKs)—relevant cell lines of buccal oral mucosa. In this regard, the objectives of this study were as follows: (i) development via combustion method and characterization of nanosized magnetite particles with carbon on their surface, (ii) biocompatibility assessment of the obtained magnetic nanoparticles on HGF and PGK cell lines and (iii) evaluation of possible irritative reaction of Fe3O4@Carbon nanoparticles on the highly vascularized chorioallantoic membrane of a chick embryo. Physicochemical properties of Fe3O4@Carbon nanoparticles were characterized in terms of phase composition, chemical structure, and polymorphic and molecular interactions of the chemical bonds within the nanomaterial, magnetic measurements, ultrastructure, morphology, and elemental composition. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of magnetite as phase pure without any other secondary phases, and Raman spectroscopy exhibit that the pre-formed magnetic nanoparticles were covered with carbon film, resulting from the synthesis method employed. Scanning electron microscopy shown that nanoparticles obtained were uniformly distributed, with a nearly spherical shape with sizes at the nanometric level; iron, oxygen, and carbon were the only elements detected. While biological screening of Fe3O4@Carbon nanoparticles revealed no significant cytotoxic potential on the HGF and PGK cell lines, a slight sign of irritation was observed on a limited area on the chorioallantoic membrane of the chick embryo.