Magnetoliposomes containing magnesium ferrite nanoparticles as nanocarriers for the model drug curcumin

Magnesium ferrite nanoparticles, with diameters around 25 nm, were synthesized by coprecipitation method. The magnetic properties indicate a superparamagnetic behavior, with a maximum magnetization of 16.2 emu/g, a coercive field of 22.1 Oe and a blocking temperature of 183.2 K. These MgFe2O4 nanoparticles were used to produce aqueous and solid magnetoliposomes, with sizes below 130 nm. The potential drug curcumin was successfully incorporated in these nanosystems, with high encapsulation efficiencies (above 89%). Interaction by fusion between both types of drug loaded magnetoliposomes (with or without PEGylation) and models of biological membranes was demonstrated, using FRET or fluorescence quenching assays. These results point to future applications of magnetoliposomes containing MgFe2O4 nanoparticles in cancer therapy, allowing combined magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy.

本研究采用共沉淀法合成了直径约25 nm的铁酸镁纳米颗粒（Magnesium ferrite nanoparticles）。磁性能表征结果显示其具备超顺磁行为，最大磁化强度为16.2 emu/g，矫顽场为22.1奥斯特（Oe），阻断温度为183.2开尔文（K）。以该MgFe₂O₄纳米颗粒为原料，制备了粒径小于130 nm的水相及固态磁性脂质体。将潜在抗肿瘤药物姜黄素成功负载至该纳米载体体系中，包封率高于89%。通过荧光共振能量转移（FRET）或荧光淬灭实验，证实了两类载药磁性脂质体（经聚乙二醇化修饰（PEGylation）与未经聚乙二醇化修饰）与生物膜模型之间的融合相互作用。上述结果表明，负载铁酸镁纳米颗粒的磁性脂质体在癌症治疗领域具备潜在应用价值，可实现磁热疗与化学疗法的联合治疗。