Synthesis and characterisation of stimuli-responsive drug delivery system using ZnFe₂O₄ and Ag_1-XZn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles

ABSTRACT

Ferrites have been serving as clinical elements over the past few years as contrasting agents in MRI, gene transfection, gene consignment and to attach cytotoxic drugs for targeted drug delivery. In this study, we report the synthesis of zinc ferrite and silver substituted zinc ferrite and its novel applications on drug delivery. The magnetic nanoparticle was characterised using XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR and VSM. This magnetic particle was loaded with Curcumin, an anticancer drug coating with casein which plays a vital role as a natural polymer. The drug release studies were done under external and internal stimuli such as initial concentration of drug, magnetic fields and various pH, respectively. We have developed a pH-sensitive, higher drug concentration drug delivery system under 5 mT magnetic fields which is efficient for targeting drug delivery to the malignant cell.

KEYWORDS:

• Zinc Ferrites
• silver substituted Zinc ferrites
• drug delivery
• external stimuli
• internal stimuli
• natural polymer

Acknowledgments

I thank Loyola College for the academic support for the work, SAIF STIC Cochin university for the characterization (XRD, SEM, and TEM).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.