Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025
Biofunctionalization of Magnetic Nanomaterials
Published on: July 16, 2020
Pr3+ Ion-Substituted Ni-Co Nano-Spinel Ferrites: Their Synthesis, Characterization, and Biocompatibility for
Suriya Rehman1, Balasamy Rabindran Jermy2, Irfan A Rather3,4
1Department of Epidemic Diseases Research, Institute for Research & Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Nanotherapeutics have attracted tremendous research interest in the modern pharmaceutical and biomedical industries due to their potential for drug development, targeted delivery, and therapeutic applications. Therefore, the current study underpins the synthesis of praseodymium ion (Pr3+)-substituted Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 nano-spinel ferrites, (Co0.5Ni0.5PrxFe2-xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) NSFs, CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs) via the sonochemical route for its application as a nanotherapeutic treatment option. The synthesized nanomaterial was characterized using various analytical techniques, including scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). After substitution with Pr (x = 0.08), the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential analysis indicated an increase in hydrodynamic diameter, with an average zeta potential value of -10.2 mV. The investigation of CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs on colorectal cancer (HCT-116) cells demonstrated a significant effect on cancer cell viability. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs was between 46 ± 0.91 and 288 ± 8.21 for HCT-116 cells. The effect of CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs on normal human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells showed a reduction in the HEK-293 cell viability; however, the cell viability was better than HCT-116. The NSFs treatment also showed morphological changes in cancer cell nuclei, as revealed by DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), nuclear disintegration, and chromatic fragmentation, which are signs of apoptosis or programmed cell death. To examine the potential antifungal effects of CoNiPr NSFs on Candida albicans, known to cause candidemia among cancer patients, the viability of the cells was assessed post treatment with CoNiPr (x ≤ 0.10) NSFs. The increasing ratio of dopant had a moderate impact on the percentage of cell viability loss of 42, 44, and 43% with x = 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10, respectively. These results reinforce that increased dopant significantly impacts the antifungal properties of the synthesized nanomaterial. These findings support the idea that NSFs might be useful in pharmaceuticals.
Insights
Praseodymium-substituted nano-spinel ferrites show promise as nanotherapeutics, effectively reducing cancer cell viability and exhibiting antifungal properties against Candida albicans. These nanomaterials offer potential applications in pharmaceutical treatments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nanotherapeutics are gaining significant interest for their potential in drug development, targeted delivery, and therapeutic applications within the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
- Nano-spinel ferrites (NSFs) offer a versatile platform for developing novel therapeutic agents due to their tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize praseodymium ion (Pr³⁺)-substituted Ni₀.₅Co₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nano-spinel ferrites (CoNiPr NSFs) using a sonochemical route.
- To evaluate the nanotherapeutic potential of CoNiPr NSFs against colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and normal human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293).
- To investigate the antifungal activity of CoNiPr NSFs against Candida albicans.
Main Methods:
- Sonochemical synthesis of CoNiPr NSFs with varying Pr³⁺ concentrations (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10).
- Characterization using scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD).
- Assessment of cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and HEK-293 cell lines, including IC₅₀ determination.
- Evaluation of antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
Main Results:
- Pr³⁺ substitution (x=0.08) in NSFs resulted in increased hydrodynamic diameter and a zeta potential of -10.2 mV.
- CoNiPr NSFs exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 46 ± 0.91 to 288 ± 8.21.
- NSFs treatment induced apoptosis in cancer cells, evidenced by morphological changes, nuclear disintegration, and fragmentation.
- CoNiPr NSFs demonstrated moderate antifungal effects against Candida albicans, with cell viability loss increasing with higher dopant ratios.
Conclusions:
- Pr³⁺-substituted nano-spinel ferrites synthesized via sonochemistry show significant potential as nanotherapeutics.
- The synthesized nanomaterials exhibit promising anticancer and antifungal activities, warranting further investigation for pharmaceutical applications.
- The dopant concentration significantly influences the cytotoxic and antifungal properties of the nano-spinel ferrites.
