Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Chitosan/Agarose-Encapsulated Oleic Acid-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles As a Chemotherapeutic-Loaded Scaffold for Drug Delivery: Physico-Chemical and in Vitro Biological Characteristics Publisher Pubmed



Falahatpisheh S1 ; Naghib SM2 ; Naimijamal MR1 ; Jafari KM2 ; Sartipzadeh O3
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Research Laboratory of Green Organic Synthesis and Polymers, Chemistry Department, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Nanotechnology Department, School of Advanced Technologies, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Department, Breast Cancer Research Centre, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules Published:2025


Abstract

Targeted drug delivery (TDD) offers a promising approach to address the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. This study presents a novel drug delivery system using a chitosan (CS)/agarose (AG) scaffold incorporating oleic acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs/OA) for controlled doxorubicin release. Hydrothermally synthesized MNPs were functionalized with oleic acid, a biocompatible surfactant, to improve stability before incorporation into a chitosan-agarose (CS-AG) matrix. The formation of the composite AG-CS-MNPs/OA was characterized and verified using different methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Chitosan is a valuable biomaterial due to its pH sensitivity, natural origin, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and bio adhesive properties. In-vitro drug release experiments revealed a pH-dependent behavior, with increased DOX release observed under acidic conditions (pH = 4.5), which are characteristic of tumor sites, compared to a neutral (pH = 7.4). The release dynamics, best captured by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicated a Fickian diffusion mechanism. Cytotoxicity assessments on MCF-7 breast cancer cells showed enhanced drug effectiveness at acidic pH, supporting the concept of targeted delivery. These findings suggest that the chitosan/agarose-magnetite scaffold is a promising candidate for pH-sensitive, controlled drug delivery, potentially enhancing cancer treatment by minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Experts (# of related papers)
Other Related Docs
17. Agarose-Based Biomaterials for Advanced Drug Delivery, Journal of Controlled Release (2020)