pH-sensitive natural almond gum hydrocolloid based magnetic nanocomposites for theragnostic applications

In this study, iron oxide (γFe₂O₃) nanoparticles synthesized via hydrothermal route and doxorubicin (Dox) were successfully encapsulated into natural almond gum hydrocolloids via antisolvent precipitation technique. Cubic γFe₂O₃ crystal structure of the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were confirmed using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The refinement of XRD and elemental analysis revealed oxygen vacancies, which is also indicated by an increased magnetization comparable to bulk γFe₂O₃. Magnetization studies revealed the superparamagnetic nature of IO and IODPC nanoparticles. The particles were characterized for its morphology (TEM and FESEM), size (FESEM, DLS), surface charge (DLS) and MRI (proton relaxation). The heating ability of the IO and IODPC nanoparticles was studied and their specific absorption rate was found to be 83.06 W/g and 154.37 W/g respectively. The entrapment efficiency of the IODPC nanoparticles was found to be 88.29%. The drug release studies revealed that IODPC nanoparticles were more responsive towards acidic pH and their release follows Higuchi diffusion kinetics. In-vitro uptake and in-vitro cell viability studies were performed for IODPC nanoparticles using HeLA cell lines.