Y. Ma, S. Manolache, D. Vail, D. Thamm, I. Kurzman, F. Denes, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Using dense medium plasma technology, carbon magnetic nanoparticles (CMNP) were synthesized from acetonitrile at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy show that the nanoparticles are spherical, 40-50 nm in diameter, with iron/iron oxide particles dispersed in a carbon-based host-structure. Differential thermal gravimetry analysis shows these nanoparticles are stable at temperatures as high as 600°C. They can be easily dispersed in water without apparent agglomeration. The CMNP were treated by argon-plasma, aminated with ethylene diamine, and subsequently activated by generating aldehyde groups on them. Free doxorubicin (DOX) molecules were then immobilized onto the activated CMNP surfaces to form CMNP-DOX conjugates. The corresponding loading efficiency was determined. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of immobilized doxorubicin was demonstrated in tumor cell cytotoxicity assays. It is suggested that this CMNP-DOX system can be used for targeted drug delivery applications.
Carbon/iron-based magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized from acetonitrile using a novel dense medium plasma reactor. The nanoparticles were plasma surface-functionalized and doxorubicin (anticancer drug) was then immobilized onto the surfaces for targeted drug delivery applications. Reactivity of the immobilized drug molecules was verified by in vitro cell tests.
