Core-triple shells pH-responsive zinc-ferrite nanocomposite: Efficient dual remedy for targeted lung cancer therapy

In a novel design, a new nanocomposite was used as a new multiple-drug nanocarrier against human lung carcinoma (A549) cells. Core-triple shells of ZnFe2O4/nSiO2/mSiO2/MF3/NH2/pectin-DA as pH-sensitive and magnetic-luminescent nanocomposite was characterized and applied for multiple-controlled drug delivery vehicle for lung cancer therapy. The first shell of nSiO2 protect the lanthanide ions (Ce3+, Tb3+ & Gd3+) emission from magnetic properties of the core while the lanthanide ions incorporate in the second mesoporous layer of mSiO2. As the third shell, poly pectin dialdehyde (pectin-DA) provided a support for the loading of the simultaneous two anticancer drugs of methotrexate (MTX) and doxorubicin (DOX). Based on TEM measurement, nanocomposite was spherical in shape with a diameter of about 127 nm. In addition, the prepared magnetic-luminescent nanocomposite exhibited high magnetization (15.92 emu.g−1) and green emission under UV lamp irradiation (λex = 254 nm). Therefore, it is suitable for the targeting and monitoring of the drugs simultaneously. MTX and DOX drugs were successfully loaded 24 and 94% within the nanocarrier, respectively. Drug release tests showed that the multifunctional nanocomposite is pH-sensitive and has a controlled drug release property. The in vitro cytotoxic studies of the MTX&DOX-NPs demonstrated a noticeable tumor inhibition compared with the pure DOX and MTX&DOX. The DOX-loaded into NPs exhibited notably higher cellular internalization than pure one against A549 cells. The major challenge in cancer treatment are targeting and killing the cancer cells with the least effect on the healthy cells. Therefore, this new nanocomposite can be potentially used in targeting, monitoring and controlled drug release in drug delivery systems.