Cytotoxicity of Folate–β-Cyclodextrin–Dextran-Grafted Calcium–Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles

Magnetic field-assisted drug delivery is a fascinating strategy to transport chemotherapeutic drugs. Ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) of the form MFe₂O₄ are a good choice for utilization as magnetic nanocarriers. Although many ferrite NPs have been tested for their function as nanocarriers, their nonspecific toxicity must be minimized. In this work, calcium–nickel ferrite nanoparticles (CNF MNPs) coated with dextran–[Formula: see text]-cyclodextrin and dextran–[Formula: see text]-cyclodextrin–dextran polymers are reported. The synthesized NPs are characterized using XRD, TEM, EDX and XPS. The magnetic properties are investigated by vibrating sample magnetometry. The 20 nm-sized CNF MNPs fall in the size range suitable for cancer drug transport. The magnetic nanocarriers containing the polymers are superparamagnetic. The camptothecin (CPT) loading efficiency is observed as 88%. The in vitro CPT release profiles are sustained, displaying a continuous release for a period of above 45 h. The cytotoxicity studies on A549 cell lines reveal that the CPT-loaded CNF MNPs are active against them and can be used as an anticancer drug carrier.