In vitro anticancer activity of doxorubicin-loaded gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Magnetic drug targeting allows accumulation of drug at a defined target site with the help of an external magnetic field. Current research explored uptake and anticancer activity of doxorubicin-loaded gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide particles (DXR-GIOPs) in order to investigate potential of gelatin-coated iron oxide particles (GIOPs) as a drug carrier in the field of magnetic drug targeting. The in vitro test was done using HeLa cells as a model cell and DXR as a model drug.

In-vitro cytotoxicity and cell uptake study of gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to modify the surfaces of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IOPs) with gelatin in order to reduce cytotoxicity and enhance cellular uptake. The gelatin-coated IOPs were characterized in terms of their functionalization, size, surface charge, morphology and crystalline structure using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (BIO-TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The cytotoxicity of the gelatin-coated IOPs to human fibroblasts was assessed using an MTT-assay and was compared with uncoated IOPs.

Synchronized polymerization and fabrication of poly(acrylic acid) and nylon hybrid mats in electrospinning.

Acrylic acid monomer in a viscous supporting nylon solution was polymerized and fabricated simultaneously via an electrospinning process. This novel polymerization method defines the fiber morphology as a network of interconnected mats. This network consists of smaller poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) fibers, approximately 19 nm in diameter, and larger nylon 6 fibers, approximately 75 nm in diameter.

Novel self-assembled amphiphilic poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-grafted-poly(vinyl alcohol) nanoparticles: hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs carrier nanoparticles.

In the present study, we have aimed to produce nanoparticles (NPs) possessing the capability of carrying both of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs and reveal significant release for both drug types. Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) copolymer (PCL-g-PVA) has been prepared and shaped in nano-particulate form to be adequate for carrying the drugs. Stannous octoate (Sn(II)Oct(2)) was used to catalyze PVA and epsilon-caprolactone monomer to chemically bond.

Bioactivity of gelatin coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: in vitro evaluation.

Current research explores formation of bone like apatite on gelatin coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (GIOPs) to evaluate the bioactivity of the material. The GIOPs were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) and the apatite formation on the surface was investigated in regular interval of time. Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) and x-ray diffraction spectroscopic (XRD) analyses were done to investigate the chemical changes and field emission-scanning electron microscopic (FE-SEM) analysis was done to investigate the morphological changes occurring on the surface of the GIOPs after soaking in different time intervals.

Surface plasmon resonances, optical properties, and electrical conductivity thermal hystersis of silver nanofibers produced by the electrospinning technique.

In the present study, silver metal nanofibers have been successfully prepared by using the electrospinning technique. Silver nanofibers have been produced by electrospinning a sol-gel consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and silver nitrate. The dried nanofiber mats have been calcined at 850 degrees C in an argon atmosphere.

Gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as carrier system: drug loading and in vitro drug release study.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IOPs) were coated with gelatin A and B and drug-loading efficiency was investigated using doxorubicin (DXR) as a model drug to evaluate their potential as a carrier system for magnetic drug targeting. Drug loading to coated IOPs was done using adsorption as well as desolvation/cross-linking techniques to understand their role. Drug loading by adsorption technique was done by incubating mixture of coated IOPs and drug in various conditions of pH, DXR-to-coated IOPs ratio, gelatin types and IOPs amounts.

Biomimetic hydroxyapatite particulate nanofiber modified silicon: in vitro bioactivity.

A novel particulate nanofibrous hydroxyapatite (HA), which mimics the bone matrix, is presented as a surface functional material to modify silicon wafers by the electrospinning method. The HA precursors were treated with viscous polymer solution, and then electrospun under controlled conditions. After successive calcinations, the powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples revealed reflection toward the (300) HA plane that is linear with temperature.

Encapsulation of Fe3O4 in gelatin nanoparticles: effect of different parameters on size and stability of the colloidal dispersion.

Encapsulation of magnetite (IOPs) in gelatin nanoparticles has been carried out by in situ precipitation of the particles in presence of gelatin, followed by desolvation and cross-linking of the composite nanoparticles. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of various formulation parameters (viz; desolvating agent, cross-linking agent and percentage of IOPs) on the hydrodynamic size of the gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide composite nanoparticles (GIOPs) and stability of the colloidal dispersion. Extensive characterization by dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy shows complete encapsulation of IOPs of size below 8 nm into gelatin nanoparticles of varying size.

N-hexanoyl chitosan stabilized magnetic nanoparticles: Implication for cellular labeling and magnetic resonance imaging.

This project involved the synthesis of N-hexanoyl chitosan or simply modified chitosan (MC) stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles (MC-IOPs) and the biological evaluation of MC-IOPs. IOPs containing MC were prepared using conventional methods, and the extent of cell uptake was evaluated using mouse macrophages cell line (RAW cells). MC-IOPs were found to rapidly associate with the RAW cells, and saturation was typically reached within the 24 h of incubation at 37 degrees C.

Deposition of gold nanoparticles on electrospun MgTiO3 ceramic nanofibers.

A simple method to deposit spherical gold nanoparticles on the surface of MgTiO3 ceramic nanofibers is presented. Electrospun MgTiO3/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) hybrid nanofibers were calcined at 650 degrees C to obtain phase pure ceramic MgTiO3 nanofibers with 100-150 nm diameters. These ceramic nanofibers were immersed in an aqueous solution of HAuCl4 containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as capping agent followed by photoreduction at 365 nm to get a novel Au-MgTiO3 nanocomposite.

An improved hydrophilicity via electrospinning for enhanced cell attachment and proliferation.

The wettability of electrospun poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) mats was improved by co-electrospinning with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), by double-spinneret electrospinning method. The improved hydrophilicity of the hybrid PCL/PVA mats was confirmed by water contact angle measurement. The in vitro cell attachment on the hydrophobic PCL and hydrophilically modified PCL/PVA mats was compared by culture studies using human prostate epithelial cells (HPECs).

Novel polymeric micelles of amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly (p-dioxanone-co-L-lactide)-block-poly (ethylene glycol).

Purpose: The objective of this study is to characterize the micelles of novel block copolymer of poly (p-Dioxanone-co-L-Lactide)-block-Poly (ethylene glycol) (PPDO/PLLA-b-PEG-) and evaluate its ability to induce gene transfection.

Methods: The ability of the block copolymer to self-assemble was determined by viscometery, dye solublization, NMR spectra and dynamic light scattering. The Trypan blue assay for in vitro biocompatibility of the block copolymer was carried out with NIH 3T3, CT-26 and MCF-7 cells, and beta-glactosidase assay was applied to measure the transfection efficiency of the block copolymer on MCF-7 breast cancer cell.