Cytotoxicity of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles with Different Morphologies In Vitro

Abstract

Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been widely used as drug carriers, but their toxicity is rarely reported. Herein, we compared the toxicity of novel Fe3O4 nanorings, nanotubes and conventional Fe3O4 nanospheres. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties of Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and vibrating sample magnetometer. Scanning electron microscope images revealed that the morphologies of Fe3O4 particles were annular, tubular or spherical. The magnetic property measurements demonstrated that saturation magnetization values of nanorings, nanotubes and nanospheres were 85.3, 90.1 and 74.8[Formula: see text]emu/g, respectively. In addition, the cytotoxic effects on the 264.7 mouse macrophages cells of Fe3O4 nanorings, nanotubes and nanospheres were determined by cck-8 test and TUNEL staining assay. Cell viability was slightly decreased on spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles compared to annular and tubular Fe3O4 nanoparticles.