Green Synthesis of γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 Coated by an Antiviral Drug Cidofovir as New Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Cytotoxicity Properties

Green synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) is a highly fascinating research area and has gained importance due to its reliable, sustainable, and eco-friendly protocol for synthesizing nanoparticles, along with the easy availability of plant materials and their pharmacological significance. This study introduces an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and simple method for producing maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) using the extract from the outer layer (papery husk) of physalis angulata fruit, and then apply a silica coating. Afterwards, the surface of produced γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 MNPs) is modified with the antiviral drug cidofovir (CDV). The aim of this study is to create a dual-purpose treatment that has both antiviral and anticancer effects. The nanoparticles were characterized using various methods including FTIR, VSM, TEM, SEM-EDX, zeta potential measurements, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis. The results indicated that the average sizes of γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-CDV MNPs were about 20.45 nm. The cytotoxicity effect of γ-Fe2O3 MNPs, CDV, and γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-CDV MNPs was tested toward MCF-7 cell line using MTT assay. The loading of CDV on γ-Fe2O3 MNPs leads to a remarkable enhancement of the anticancer and biological effect of CDV.