Garlic extract based preparation of size controlled superparamagnetic hematite nanoparticles and their cytotoxic applications

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles have been researched extensively recently for site specific cancer cell treatment. Typically, ultrafine, stable and biocompatible particles prepared using simple, economical and environment friendly approaches are greatly desirable. In the present study hematite nanoparticles were prepared by a semi-synthetic approach using aqueous garlic extract. The <em>Allium sativum</em> (as) prepared particles were appropriately characterized and checked for <em>in vitro</em> cytotoxic effects and hemocompatability. Well dispersed (polydispersity index 0.144), superparamagnetic (Ms: 15.677 emu/g), spherical particles possessing an average 10 nm diameter and good colloidal stability (zeta potential: -36.8 mV) were obtained. Nanoparticles displayed a UV absorption maximum at 450 nm and a characteristic peak at 587 cm^-1 in the Infra-red (IR) spectra representing Fe-O bond. Various bioactive components present in the garlic extract could reduce the metal precursors as well as help in coating the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles exhibited negligible percentage hemolysis and concentration dependent cytotoxicity with inhibition concentration fifty percent (IC₅₀) values of 230 µg/ml, 346 µg/ml and 285 µg/ml for cell lines of colorectal cancer (HCT 116), breast cancer (MCF-7) and cervical cancer (HeLa), respectively. In contrast normal lung fibroblast MRC-5 cell line did not exhibit any apparent cytotoxicity in the studied concentration range. Hence, biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles were green synthesized for potential therapeutic application.