Optimizing the anticancer action and toxicity evaluation of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles by different polyethylene...

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a coating agent enhances the circulation time of nanoparticles (NPs) and shields the inorganic core from the immediate cell-mediated immune response. Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) has shown promising potential due to its magnetic properties and is also widely used to stimulate targeted responsive drug deposition mechanisms to treat localized cancerous cells.

In this study, the anticancer potential of CoFe₂O₄ NPs was optimized by coating the NPs with different PEG concentrations. The synthesized CoFe₂O₄ NPs have a crystallite size of 15.7 nm, determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Coating concentrations were verified by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis. The surface charge of the CoFe₂O₄ NPs increased from -16.04-43.88 mV for different PEG concentrations. The CoFe₂O₄ NPs functionalized with varying PEG concentrations, i.e., 0.1, 0.125, and 0.25 g, were used to obtain the optimum anticancer action against the human embryonic kidney cancerous (HEK293T) cell line.

The IC₅₀ value for bare CoFe₂O₄ NPs was 76.943 μg/mL, however, the optimum response was received when CoFe₂O₄ NPs were coated with PEG_0.25 with an IC₅₀ value of 35.762 μg/mL. This indicates a significant improvement in the anticancer property of CoFe₂O₄ NPs with polymer coating. To ensure the safe application of CoFe₂O₄ NPs, in vivo toxicity studies were conducted in albino rats. Results indicated a dose-dependent hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, with elevated levels of liver enzymes (AST > 200 U/L and ALT > 60 U/L) and increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN ≥ 70 mg/dL), signaling potential organ damage at higher doses. These findings emphasize the need for careful consideration of both the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile when using CoFe₂O₄ NPs for cancer treatment.