Magnetoliposomes containing magnesium ferrite nanoparticles as nanocarriers for the mode drug curcumin

Magnesium ferrite nanoparticles, with diameters around 25 nm, were synthesized by coprecipitation method. The magnetic properties indicate a superparamagnetic behavior, with a maximum magnetization of 16.2 emu/g, a coercive field of 22.1 Oe and a blocking temperature of 183.2 K. These MgFe2O4 nanoparticles were used to produce aqueous and solid magnetoliposomes, with sizes below 130 nm. The potential drug curcumin was successfully incorporated in these nanosystems, with high encapsulation efficiencies (above 89%). Interaction by fusion between both types of drug loaded magnetoliposomes (with or without PEGylation) and models of biological membranes was demonstrated, using FRET or fluorescence quenching assays. These results point to future applications of magnetoliposomes containing MgFe2O4 nanoparticles in cancer therapy, allowing combined magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UID/FIS/04650/2013). FCT, POPH-QREN and FSE are acknowledged for the PhD grant of A. R. O. Rodrigues (SFRH/BD/90949/2012).MAP-Fis PhD Program.