Folic acid and deoxycholic acid derivative modified FeO nanoparticles for efficient pH-dependent drug release and multi-targeting against liver cancer cells.

The novel nano-drug carrier (FDCA-FA-MNPs) was constructed by grafting formyl deoxycholic acid (FDCA) and folic acid (FA) on the surface of FeO magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), possessing the advantages of superparamagnetism, good stability, low cytotoxicity and good blood compatibility. The hydrophobic anti-cancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was successfully loaded onto FDCA-FA-MNPs through supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bond between FDCA and drug and hydrophobic interaction and π-π stacking between drug and drug). The drug loading amount and drug loading capacity were 509.