Strategies to bridge the gap between magnetic nanoparticles for their nano bio applications.

Cobalt zinc ferrite (CZF) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by modifying a thermal decomposition method in the presence of triethylene glycol (TEG). Initially structural, morphological, and magnetic characterizations were carried out in order to confirm their size, polydispersity, colloidal stability, and magnetic property. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of triethylene glycol (TEG) on the surface of CZF MNPs. The CZF MNPs has revealed a superparamagnetic nature with high saturation magnetization, good colloidal stability, high specific absorption rate (SAR), excellent biocompatibility, and a monodispersed nature. All these properties are crucial, for their use as a nanomedicine in magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatment; which is considered to be one of the most promising cancer therapies. The prepared CZF MNPs are found to be biocompatible with MCF7 (human breast cancer) and L929 (mouse fibroblast) cell lines, when tested by MTT and SRB assays. Cell particle interaction was examined in depth, by using multiple staining techniques coupled with confocal microscopy. Finally, an in vitro hyperthermia experiment was carried out on MCF7 cells, resulting in the extinction of MCF7 cells by up to 80% within 60 min. The nature of the cell extinction was found and lastly reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed, where ROS is the responsible factor for apoptosis. This research demonstrates that, prepared CZF MNPs can be used as a potential candidate for effective MFH treatment for cancer cell extinction.

Wound dressing materials designed from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers are widely used in wound healing. The present investigation deals with the preparation of a unique blend of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) embedded in a silk fibroin–polyvinyl alcohol (SF–PVA/ZnO) composite film. Physical and chemical characterizations of the synthesized ZnO NPs and the prepared composite films (SF–PVA and SF–PVA/ZnO) were studied. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that ZnO NPs were embedded in the SF–PVA composite film. The SF–PVA/ZnO composite film showed enhanced mechanical properties due to ZnO NPs. The study of antibacterial activity of the prepared composite films revealed that the embedded ZnO NPs showed excellent antibacterial activity against microorganisms that cause wound infections. The SF–PVA/ZnO composite film showed enhanced swelling behavior and faster blood clotting ability compared to the control SF–PVA composite film. The in vitro cytocompatibility study exhibited the nontoxic nature of the synthesized SF–PVA/ZnO composite film. These studies confirmed that the designed composite film holds huge potential to be used as a dressing material for infected wounds.