Synthesis, purification, and anticancer effect of magnetic FeO-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic) nanoparticles of the natural drug tetrandrine.

Here, we have successfully synthesised and purified multifunctional PLGA-based nanoparticles by the co-encapsulation of an anticancer drug (tetrandrine) and a magnetic material (FeO). The obtained Tet-FeO-PLGA NPs had a uniform spherical shape with a particle size of approximately 199 nm and a negative surface charge of -18.0 mV, displaying a high encapsulation efficiency. Furthermore, TEM studies provided representative images of the purification process of the magnetic nanoparticles with MACS technology. The MFM and VSM results indicated that both the FeO NPs and Tet-FeO-PLGA NPs were superparamagnetic. The DSC spectrum demonstrated that Tet was successfully encapsulated within the PLGA-based nanoparticles. Significantly, the release studies revealed NPs had a relatively slower release rate than free Tet after 8 h's initial burst release, which had decreased from 98% to 65% after 24 h. cellular studies revealed that NPs could effectively penetrate into A549 cells and A549 multicellular spheroids to exert cytotoxicity, displaying a significantly high anti-proliferation effect. Moreover, western blot demonstrated that the co-loaded NPs had a higher anticancer activity by injuring lysosomes to activate the mitochondria pathway and induce A549 cell apoptosis. The magnetic characteristics and high anticancer activity support the use of Tet/FeO co-loaded PLGA-based nanoparticles as a promising strategy in the treatment of lung cancer.