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Preparation and in vitro evaluation of doxorubicin-loaded Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with biocompatible copolymers

Authors Akbarzadeh A, Mikaeili H, Zarghami , Mohamad R, Barkhordari A, Davaran S

Received 17 July 2011

Accepted for publication 23 August 2011

Published 1 February 2012 Volume 2012:7 Pages 511—526

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S24326

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



This paper has been retracted.

Abolfazl Akbarzadeh 1, Haleh Mikaeili 2, Nosratollah Zarghami 3, Rahmati Mohammad 3, Amin Barkhordari 3, Soodabeh Davaran 2
1Drug Applied Research Center, 2Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center of Tabriz, 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Background: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are attractive materials that have been widely used in medicine for drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic applications. In our study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and the anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride, were encapsulated into poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) poly (ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles for local treatment. The magnetic properties conferred by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could help to maintain the nanoparticles in the joint with an external magnet.
Methods: A series of PLGA:PEG triblock copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D, L-lactide and glycolide with different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000, PEG 3000, and PEG 4000) as an initiator. The bulk properties of these copolymers were characterized using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the resulting particles were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry.
Results: The doxorubicin encapsulation amount was reduced for PLGA:PEG 2000 and PLGA:PEG 3000 triblock copolymers, but increased to a great extent for PLGA:PEG 4000 triblock copolymer. This is due to the increased water uptake capacity of the blended triblock copolymer, which encapsulated more doxorubicin molecules into a swollen copolymer matrix. The drug encapsulation efficiency achieved for Fe 3O 4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with PLGA:PEG 2000, PLGA:PEG 3000, and PLGA:PEG 4000 copolymers was 69.5%, 73%, and 78%, respectively, and the release kinetics were controlled. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the Fe 3O 4-PLGA:PEG 4000 magnetic nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity and were biocompatible.
Conclusion: There is potential for use of these nanoparticles for biomedical application. Future work includes in vivo investigation of the targeting capability and effectiveness of these nanoparticles in the treatment of lung cancer.

Keywords: superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, triblock copolymer, doxorubicin encapsulation, water uptake, drug encapsulation efficiency

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