Multifaceted Characterization and Therapeutic Evaluation of Co-precipitated Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles for Magnetic...

Magnetic-mediated hyperthermia has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treating cancer. This technique employs the heat dissipated by the magnetic nanoparticles when subjected to an external varying magnetic field, to bring about localized hyperthermia in tumor tissues. Owing to their conducive and tuneable "physical, chemical, and magnetic" characteristics, cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles are recognized as emerging contenders. The aim of the present work was to enhance the magnetic characteristics and guarantee the efficacy of CoFe2 O4 nanoparticles in targeting and eliminating cancer cells.

CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical co-precipitation route and underwent rigorous structural, morphological, and magnetic characterization techniques. The synthesized particles were then subjected to in vitro studies to evaluate their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial susceptibility.

The characterization techniques confirmed the cubic structure, ferrite phase, and spherical and magnetic nature of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The zeta potential was found to be - 0.0048V (4.8 mV). Cytotoxicity analysis exhibited decreased cell viability with increasing concentrations of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Antimicrobial studies displayed good inhibiting properties.

The zeta potential of the synthesized CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was found to be higher than that of the breast cancer cells (MCF-7) which proves the synthesized drug to be effective. The in vitro studies also disclose the efficacy of the drug over cancer cells.