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Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of the central nervous system malignancy and considered as the most lethal and aggressive primary brain tumor. Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) along with temozolomide (TMZ) is considered as the standard treatment regimen for GBM. However, implementation of RT in tumor suppression is frequently accompanied by several side effects. Additionally, dose limitation and radioresistance are other major drawbacks associated with radiation therapy. To this end, nanoradioenhancer/or nanoradiosensitizer based on high-Z metallic elements has emerged as a powerful treatment modality in GBM therapy. In this study, CuFe2O4decorated with BSA nanoplatforms (CuFe2O4@BSA) was fabricated to improve the theraputics potential of RT through sensitizing the U-87 GBM cells to X-ray radiation. The characterization techniques such as FTIR, XRD, EDS and UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed successful fabrication of CuFe2O4@BSA radioenhancer, while also TEM images indicated the prepared nanoradiosensitizers are uniform, homogenous, and spherical with an average size of about 5 nm. In vitro hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of developed CuFe2O4@BSA nanoradiosensitizers were also investigated by hemolysis and MTT assay, respectively. The merits of CuFe2O4@BSA nanoplatforms in sensitizing the U-87 cells to the ionizing radiation were also exploited using intracellular ROS generation and MTT assay. It was found that CuFe2O4@BSA nanoradiosensitizers did not cause any deleterious effects on primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) of which the cell viability of all treated group was beyond 95%, endorsing the cytocompatibility and safety of these nanoplatforms for further assessment. Hemolysis assay also confirms the biosafety of CuFe2O4@BSA nanoradiosensitizers, exhibiting no significant toxicity against human red blood cells in which the degree of hemolysis was less than 4%. In vitro cancer radiotherapy also demonstrated that the cell viability of U-87 GBM was considerably decreased once co-modality of X-ray and CuFe2O4@BSA nanoradiosensitizers were used simultaneously. Radiosensitizing ability of these nanoparticles was also proved by intracellular ROS generation, of which implementation of CuFe2O4@BSA nanoradiosensitizers upon X-ray irradiation resulted in superior ROS production. Overall, these findings provide vital evidence for applicability of prepared CuFe2O4@BSA nanoradiosensitizers in killing the primary brain tumor cells specifically GBM.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. In this study, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and targeted by folic acid were synthesized and evaluated as carriers to deliver curcumin to the cells and its anti-cancer effects on liver cancer cells (HepG2) were investigated in vitro. Methods: Stabilized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized in a single container. The folic acid targeting agent was then ligated to BSA protein, using carbide amide chemistry. After loading of curcumin, the construct and its characteristics were studied through VSM, DLS, FTIR, TEM, UV–Vis and hemolysis techniques. By combining fluorophore dyes to the final system, the amount of cellular uptake and active drug delivery was measured. Finally, the anti-cancer effects of this nanostructure were evaluated by MTT and apoptosis assays. Results: Iron oxide nanoparticles with dimensions between 95 and 185 nm were prepared. The morphology of the final nanostructure showed to be predominantly spherical. The results of characterization of nanoparticles showed that BSA-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, targeted with folic acid, were properly synthesized and curcumin was loaded into the nanostructure. The results of nanostructure cell uptake using flow cytometry showed that nanoparticles enter the cell highly efficient. MTT and cell apoptosis showed that treatment with this nanostructure reduced the cell survival and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cancer cells. Conclusion: Folic acid-conjugated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles stabilized by BSA were successfully synthesized and showed a good loading and release efficacy for delivery of curcumin to the target liver cancer cells. Folic acid conjugation increased the liver cancer cell characteristics inhibition. The nanoparticles indicated to have good cell entry properties and showed to significantly suppress HepG2 cancer cells in vitro. These nanostructures could be used for synergized co-therapy with irradiation due to the magnetic properties of particles.

The solubility profile of a weakly water-soluble drug of sertraline (SRT) at the temperature range of 298.2–318.2 K under atmospheric pressure, in the binary aqueous mixtures of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGMEE) was measured using a shake-flask method. As a result, SRT was discovered to have the maximum solubility in DMSO among investigated solvent systems. The obtained solubility values were correlated by utilizing cosolvency models, including the Jouyban-Acree-van’t Hoff and Jouyban-Acree models, and the mean relative deviations were computed in order to evaluate the precision of these equations. Additionally, using the van't Hoff and Gibbs formulas at Thm, the parameters of apparent thermodynamics (Gibbs energy, entropy, and enthalpy) of SRT in the saturated mixtures were calculated. According to these solubility results, SRT nanosuspensions, which had a mean particle size of under 200 nm, were formulated in DMSO and water as a solvent combination. Therapeutic development could be significantly improved by implementing solubilization strategies for enhancing the bioavailability of medicines that are only weakly water-soluble, according to the results of the experimental and statistical assessment of solubility.

The goal of this work is to harness the advantages of a targeted hybrid nanostructure, BSA-coated Fe3O4(F)-Au heterodimer, as a radiosensitizer and co-delivery vehicle of chemotherapeutic drugs for enhanced synergic cancer therapy and protection of healthy tissues. F-Au-BSA-MTX-CUR combines the abilities of enhanced X-ray radiation therapy (F-Au), long blood circulation time (BSA), tumor targeting (MTX), enhanced chemotherapy (MTX and CUR), and protection of normal cells against the harmful effects of radiation (CUR). In this work, we present the radioprotective and radiosensitizing effects of CUR on normal tissues and the tumor site, respectively. After technical evaluation, drug loading, drug release behavior, hemolysis assay, transfection efficacy, and cellular uptake studies with fluorescence microscopy, the biosafety and toxicity of the nanostructure was assessed in vitroand in vivo. Also, to confirm its power to improve synergistic chemoradiation therapy in mice, the antitumor effects of the designed treatment plan were assessed in a 4T1-tumor bearing mouse model. The in vivoantitumor effect evaluation interestingly reveals outstanding therapeutic power of the final formulation (F-Au-BSA-MTX-CUR) and further requirement of CUR as a radioprotective. This result importantly revealed the radioprotection effect of CUR. Co-delivery of the chemotherapeutic drugs MTX and CUR, combined with the radiosensitizing effect of the F-Au heterodimer and the radioprotective effect of CUR, showed promising prospects in cancer therapy.

Combination therapy such as radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy has attracted excessive interest in the new cancer research area. Therefore, developing nanobiomaterials for combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is required for more powerful and successful cures. Because of the amazing X-ray sensitization proficiency of Bi based nanoparticles, in this work, we synthesized and used Bi2S3as an enhancer of X-ray radiation therapy, and furthermore, Bi2S3served as carrier of curcumin (CUR), a chemotherapy drug, for the goal of combination therapy. Additionally, we selected and conjugated folic acid (FA) as a targeting molecule for the direction of the designed system to the tumor site. After characterization of drug loaded FA conjugated Bi2S3@BSA nanoparticles (Bi2S3@BSA-FA-CUR) and in vitroand in vivosafety assessment, we applied it for enhanced chemotherapy and X-ray radiation therapy in cancer cells and a tumor bearing mice model. Moreover, the CT contrast ability of synthesized nanoparticles was examined. Here, we (1) for the first time developed the novel and targeted CUR loaded Bi2S3@BSA (Bi2S3@BSA-FA-CUR) to promote chemoradiation therapy in 4T1 cells and breast tumor in mice; (2) found the synthesized nanoparticles to have good stability; (3) injected a single dose of the designed radiosensitizer for cancer therapy; and (4) used a conventional X-ray dose, 2Gy, for X-ray radiation therapy. The result of in vivoX-ray radiotherapy shows that the mice tumors vanished near 3 weeks after radiation. Interestingly, these results show that Bi2S3@BSA-FA-CUR with the aid of X-ray can clearly promote the efficacy of chemoradiation therapy.

In drug delivery science, brain delivery is one of the most important challenges because of the low efficiency of the available treatments. Nowadays, shuttle peptides have attracted more attention because of lower price, reduced immunity, and increased chemical capability. Glutathione (GSH) is one of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) shuttle peptides that has reached the most progressive steps in the path toward clinical application. This project discovered the possibility of GSH-conjugated IONPs as an MRI-monitored paclitaxel (PTX) delivery vehicle across the BBB using BALB/c mouse model. Synthesized shuttle peptide-conjugated nanoparticles were tracked over a certain time by MRI. A one-pot method was used for preparation of IONPs@Asp to form functionalized nanoparticles with two functional groups for linkage of PTX, PEG, and then GSH on the surface of nanoparticles. Afterward, they were analyzed by XRD, TGA, FTIR, TEM, VSM, and DLS techniques. In addition, histological study were performed on the key organs. Here, we exhibit that (1) IONPs@Asp are stable and nontoxic to different cells; (2) conjugation of GSH to nanoparticles promotes their internalization to brain in vivo; (3) final formulation (IONPs@Asp-PTX-PEG-GSH) are effective in MRI visualization; (4) IONPs@Asp-PTX-PEG-GSH begins to eliminate shortly afterward by the kidneys subsequently administration; (5) they were absorbed by liver, spleen, and especially by brain and simultaneously enhancing MRI contrast. Thus, IONPs@Asp-PTX-PEG-GSH are promising MRI-monitored paclitaxel (PTX) delivery vehicle across the BBB.

In this work, a kind of cubic ZnFe2O4and ZnFe2O4–x wt% graphene (x = 1, 2, 3, 4 wt% GR) with spinel nano-structure as nano-photocatalytic activity under visible light radiation were prepared by a facile sol–gel method. The structure, surface morphology, chemical composition of nano-powders and nano-hybrids were studied using scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectra and vibrating sample magnetometer spectroscopy. XRD results showed that nano-hybrids and nano-particles all the diffraction peaks agree well with to a cubic structure of the ZnFe2O4spinel (JCPDS No. 22-1010). The particle size of all the compositions are in the range of ∼ 85–95 nm. The ZnFe2O4nano-powders alone is photocatalytically inactive under visible light irradiation, the combination of ZnFe2O4nano-powders with graphene nano-sheets leads to high nano-photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Paracetamol drug under visible light irradiation.

Minimally invasive and highly precise cancer cell death is a goal, and nanoformulations that can respond to the unique TME hold promise. This article describes the development of a nanoparticles (NPs) for chemodynamic treatment (CDT) to combat the cancer. As a consequence, CuS NPs cores are used as Fenton-like catalysts, while Alginate (Alg) is used as a stabilizer and template for entrapping and stabilizing Cu NPs. Here, Alg coated CuS NPs (CuS@Alg NPs) was synthesized viaa green and facile method. To promote biocompatibility, Alg is added to the system. The malignant cells are killed by generated toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) using CuS@Alg NPs as a Fenton-like process catalyst. The effectiveness of NPs was assessed by MTT assay, live/dead cells staining, and ROS generation within cancer cells. Results not only confirmed ROS generation ability of CuS@Alg NPs within cells, but also show the anticancer ability of them. By CDT, the created smart nanoscale system showed remarkable effectiveness for breast cancer suppression.

Abstract

In this project, we described the production of chrysin-loaded L-phenyl alanine (Phe)-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (chrysin@Phe@IOMNs). chrysin@Phe@IOMNs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Next, hemocompatibility and biocompatibility of Phe-coated IOMNs were determined by hemolysis and MTT assays on HFF-2 and HEK-293 cell lines, respectively. Finally, the anticancer activity of chrysin@Phe@IOMNs was examined on MCF-7 cell line. The outcomes direct that as-prepared nanocarriers are nontoxic and biocompatible and also chrysin@Phe@IOMNs are appropriate for chrysin delivery and other hydrophobic therapeutic agents.

Malaria and cancer have been considered deadly diseases around the world. Cancer and malaria both have high incidence rates despite numerous research efforts to develop effective strategies for mitigating the burden of these two distinct ailments. Herein, pH-responsive nanogel based on methacrylic acid-functionalized with bovine serum albumin (PMAA-BSA) with an average diameter of ∼75 nm was fabricated for smart delivery of chloroquine (CQ). These nanoplatforms exhibited high drug loading efficacy (26.42%). Also it displayed a higher CQ release rate (92.03%) under simulated acidic microenvironment of the digestive vacuole (DV) and tumor tissue whereas 40.01% CQ was released under a neutral physiological environment. More importantly, this unique pH-responsive nanogel lowered the IC50of CQ by approximately 2.8-fold and 1.9-fold in MCF-7 cells at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Interestingly, blank PMAA-BSA nanogels displayed anti-plasmodial activity and no one to the best of our knowledge has developed a drug vehicle with inherent antimalarial features. PMAA-BSA-CQ through its synergistic effects exhibited great anti-plasmodial activity under both in vitroand in vivoconditions. Furthermore, PMAA-BSA-CQ fully eradicate the parasites in Plasmodium bergheiinfected mice and prolonged their survival rate. In conclusion, such pH-responsive nanogel with targeting ability and non-toxicity could be used as a very promising nanoplatform for intracellular and tumor trigger release of antimalarial/anti-cancer drugs.

The major challenge of curcumin (CUR) therapy is the low bioavailability in the tumor cells, which could be solved by targeting and manipulating nanoparticles (NPs) in the drug delivery systems (DDS) through enhancement of CUR uptake. In our study, ligand-targeted micelle NPs including BTN-poly ethylene glycol-polycaprolactone(PCL) (BTNcment-PEG-PCL) and mono methoxy poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) diblock co-polymers series were synthesized by way of a single-step nano-precipitation method and characterized by H NMR, FT-IR, DSC, DLS, TEM, and GPC techniques. Following CUR-loading on the NP series, cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of CUR-BTN-PEG-PCL and CUR-mPEG-PCL on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), Human embryonic kidney (HEK293), and human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay and microscope fluorescence, respectively. Then, in vitrostudies of targeted and untargeted NPs for the cell cycle and apoptosis assessment using flow cytometry have shown that CUR in CUR-BTN-PEG-PCL as a novel and targeted nanocarrier increases the cell population of Sub G1 and apoptosis. Moreover, in Ovochick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay demonstrated that CUR-BTN-PEG-PCL has notably decreased tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis due to enhanced CUR bioavailability for the site-specific tumor. In conclusion, BTN-PEG–PCL NPs as a novel and efficiently targeted nanocarrier predominantly improved CUR potential for cancer therapy.

In this project, in vitroand in vivoproperties of drug loaded nanocarriers based on miktoarm star copolymer mPEG-Lys-PCL2were evaluated. Miktoarm was synthesized using ring opening polymerization reaction. Then, quercetin which is a hydrophobic plant based flavonol, was loaded into star NCs using nanoprecipitation method. The structure and biocompatibility nanocarriers were determined using proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, hemolysis assay and lethal dose test. According to biocompatibility tests, prepared nanocarrier was practically nontoxic. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of nanocarriers were high because of miktoarm has two hydrophobic arms and more spaces between layers in comparison with linear copolymer with the same material. The results of MTT assay proved that quercetin-loaded star nanocarriers possess acceptable toxicity on cancerous cells which is because of the ability of miktoarm to mimic phospholipid structure. Furthermore, in vivoresults showed the quercetin-loaded star nanocarriers is more effective to inhibit tumor volume than the free Quer. Also, the survival rate of mice treated with quercetin loaded star nanocarriers enhanced so that all the treated mice survived more than 75 days, and 20% of them were alive even after 85 days of experiment.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of polymeric micelles loaded with Edaravone on ischemia-induced in human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y). Polymethoxy ethylene glycol-polylactic-co-glycolic acid (mPEG-b-PLGA) was first synthesized, and its physicochemical properties were determined. Micelles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. The size of micelles was 155 ± 2.5 nm with a surface charge of −15 ± 0.94 and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.11. The examination of the morphology of micelles performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the size of particles was less than 155 ± 2.5 nm, and the morphology was spherical. The drug loading (DL) was determined about 13 ± 1.4% and encapsulation efficiency was 65 ± 0.79%. Drug delivery was analyzed using UV-VIS spectroscopy. The impact of different concentrations of free and micelle-containing Edaravone was performed on SH-SY5Y cells under normal and oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO) activity, Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis rate were significantly reduced in cells treated with edaravone loaded-micelle in addition to a significant reduction in the expression of pro-apoptotic gene (Bax) and increase in the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (HSP70 and Bcl-2). Consequently, according to the result of the study Edaravone-loaded micelles had a significant rate of neuroprotective effects than free Edaravone against ischemia-induced oxidative damage.

Over the past few years, several types of radiosensitizers have been developed to address the challenges of tumor hypoxia in favor of cancer radiotherapy. In this study, we aimed to synthesize a nano-radiosensitizers via conjugation of metronidazole (Met) to bovine serum albumin coated bismuth sulfide nanoparticles (Bi2S3@BSA NPs), named Bi2S3@BSA-Met. The NPs were characterized with different techniques. Bi2S3@BSA-Met NPs were shown to have a mean hydrodynamic particle size around 154 nm and a spherical shape with homogenous size distribution. Apoptosis assay revealed that the combination of Bi2S3@BSA-Met NPs with X-Ray irradiation potentiated the cell apoptotic rate. Furthermore, one of the most striking results to emerge from the data comparison was the effects of Met on radiosensitization of 4T1 cells under hypoxia condition. Conjugation of Met to Bi2S3@BSA NPs resulted in superior cell cytotoxicity upon X-ray irradiation. Results provide unprecedented evidence for the potential capability of Met as an effective radiation sensitizer for hypoxic tumor cells.

An optimal radiosensitizer with improved tumor retention has an important effect on tumor radiation therapy. Herein, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and drug‐containing, mPEG‐conjugated CUR (mPEG‐CUR), self‐assembled NPs (mPEG‐CUR@Au) are developed and evaluated as a drug carrier and radiosensitizer in a breast cancer mice model. As a result, cancer therapy efficacy is improved significantly by applying all‐in‐one NPs to achieve synchronous chemoradiotherapy, as evidenced by studies evaluating cell viability, proliferation, and ROS production. In vivo anticancer experiments show that the mPEG‐CUR@Au system improves the radiation sensitivity of 4T1 mammary carcinoma and completely abrogates breast cancer. In vitro and in vivo synchronous chemoradiation treatment using prodrug polymeric nanoconjugates encapsulating gold nanoparticles for enhanced X‐ray radiation therapy in breast cancer result in the generation of large quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cells. In a 4T1 breast cancer, mouse tumor model, one‐dose injection and one‐time X‐ray irradiation result in tumor elimination without recurrence.

Gold Nanoparticles In article number 2102321by Farzad Seidi, João Conde, Ali Sharafi, and co‐workers, in vivo X‐ray radiation using prodrug polymeric nanoconjugates encapsulating gold nanoparticles impair the proliferation of breast cancer cells, blocking the ability of a single cancer cell to grow into a colony, and therefore forming tumors.

In this study, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were successfully prepared by a sımple chemical method. After conjugation of methotrexate (MTX) on bovine serum albumin (BSA), the surfaces of CuO NPs were functionalized with BSA-MTX for the formation of CuO@BSA-MTX NPs. The samples were characterized by ultraviolet visible (UV–vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses. It was fund that the synthesized CuO@BSA-MTX NPs show spherical shape, and exhibited a uniform morphology. Also the release study shows that the release of MTX is faster and more in the presence of proteinase K. The cytotoxicity of CuO@BSA-MTX NPs against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was investigated with MTT assay. The results revealed that CuO@BSA-MTX NPs show significant cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 cell line.

Given the high rate of cancer mortality in the world, trying to find appropriate therapeutic strategies is a very crucial issue. Since insulin-like growth factor −1(IGF-1) and its receptor (IGF-1R) play a significant role in tumor formation and progression, targeting them can have a vital effect on cancer treatment. Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that exerts its anti-tumor effect by regulating IGF-I signaling and cell cycle arrest, making it a suitable therapeutic agent for reducing tumor induction. However, the utilization of lycopene is limited due to its high lipophilicity and very low solubility in biological body fluids. To overcome this problem, polymer lipid hybrid nanocarriers that have a core-shell structure have received much attention in recent years. In this study, to produce lipid-hybrid nanoparticles (NPs), methoxypolyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (mPEG-PCL) copolymers were applied for lycopene loading due to biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxic nature, small size, amphiphilic properties, and stability of these NPs in the circulatory system. Furthermore, the use of the cationic lipid of Dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) increased the cellular uptake of nanocarriers. This study proposed mPEG-PCL-DDAB as a potent nanocarrier for drug delivery to MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines,in vitro, and their applicability for the IGF-1R silencing, as a promising anti-cancer therapeutic approach, for the first time.

In this study, we developed a green and facile top–down approach for the production of nano-sized graphene oxide (GO) like flakes from natural sources by sonochemistry. The long carbon flakes produced by the pyrolysis of waste onion sheathing were then converted into uniform nano-sized GO-like flakes (6.6 ​± ​2.4 ​nm) by sonication in deionized water. The effect of time on the size of GO-like nanostructures obtained by ultrasonication of bio-sourced carbon flakes has been extensively investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to determine the size of these nanostructures. The changes in the surface chemical composition of the nanostructures during the sonochemical treatment were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility of nano-sized GO-like flakes were evaluated. Pyrolysis of waste onion sheathing followed by sonication could therefore be explored as a highly cost-effective, eco-friendly, uncomplicated, green, and efficient way of producing large-scale nano-sized GO-like carbon flakes.

Synchronous chemotherapy and radiotherapy, termed chemoradiation therapy, is now an important standard regime for synergistic cancer treatment. For such treatment, nanoparticles can serve as improved carriers of chemotherapeutics into tumors and as better radiosensitizers for localized radiotherapy. Herein, we designed a Schottky-type theranostic heterostructure, Bi2S3–Au, with deep level defects (DLDs) in Bi2S3as a nano-radiosensitizer and CT imaging contrast agent which can generate reactive free radicals to initiate DNA damage within tumor cells under X-ray irradiation. Methotrexate (MTX) was conjugated onto the Bi2S3–Au nanoparticles as a chemotherapeutic agent showing enzymatic stimuli-responsive release behavior. The designed hybrid system also contained curcumin (CUR), which cannot only serve as a nutritional supplement for chemotherapy, but also can play an important role in the radioprotection of normal cells. Impressively, this combined one-dose chemoradiation therapeutic injection of co-drug loaded bimetallic multifunctional theranostic nanoparticles with a one-time clinical X-ray irradiation, completely eradicated tumors in mice after approximately 20 days after irradiation showing extremely effective anticancer efficacy which should be further studied for numerous anti-cancer applications.

The present study aimed to synthesize AgFeO2 nanocarriers by a thermal treatment method and to test them with respect to their applicability in photodynamic therapy and drug delivery of anti-cancer drugs. Chemical structure, surface morphology, and magnetic properties of AgFeO2 were studied by X-ray diffractometer, Field emission-scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating-sample magnetometer. The X-ray data for AgFeO2indicated the typical patterns of rhombohedral phase with delafossite structure. The biocompatibility of AgFeO2 was evaluated by a hemolysis test and a lethal dose test. The results confirmed the non-toxicity of the nanoparticles when used in photodynamic therapy. The loading and encapsulation efficiency of AgFeO2were 20.23 ± 0.24 and 84.55 ± 1.24, respectively. Furthermore, when the pH of the release media decreased from 7.4 to 5.8, the release rate of the Quercetin from Quercetin loaded AgFeO2increased from 52 to 70%. In the photodynamic therapy, the cytotoxicity of Quercetin, AgFeO2and Quercetin-loaded AgFeO2on tumor cells was studied. Cytotoxity of tumor cells treated with AgFeO2and Quercetin loaded AgFeO2under UV light significantly decreased from 65.7 to 27.2% to 23.58, and 7.6%, respectively. The results suggest that AgFeO2is a suitable nanocarrier to be used in drug delivery and photodynamic therapy.

In this project FA-L-PEG-PCL (FA: Folic acid, L: Lysine, PEG: Polyethylene glycol, PCL: Polycaprolactone) polymeric nanocarriers (NCs) were synthesized. In aqueous medium, this polymeric NCs could be self-assembled to form Round-shaped folate-functionalized micelles for delivery of Tamoxifen (TMX) and Quercetin (QUER) to cancerous cells. For determining the structure of this copolymer, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta sizer were used. The cytotoxicity of NCs was determined by hemolysis assay and this test displayed that the cytotoxicity of NCs is lower than 3%. To determine anticancer activity of synthesized drug loaded nanocarriers in vitrocell cytotoxicity analysis were performed on 4T1 cell line and in vivotreatment of tumors. Beside, histopathological study was performed to investigate the effect of drug loaded NCs on mice tissues. In vitroMTT experiment showed that QUER has significant synergistic effect for decreasing viability of the cancerous cell line (4T1); moreover, as an in vivotreatment of tumors, the FA-L-PEG-PCL-TMX-QUER exhibited a clear tumor-inhibiting effect; therefore, according to this results, we can conclude that The FA-L-PEG-PCL-TMX-QUER NCs had a considerable potential for oral delivery of combination drugs having most clinical application.

In Fig. 3 of this article [1], a human error occurred during the DLS experiment. The human error involved mislabeling of samples during transfer of results.