Functional ionic liquids induced the formation of mitochondria targeted fluorescent core–shell ellipsoidal nanoparticles with anticancer properties

A functional ionic liquid (IL) (IL = 4-acetyl-N-butyl pyridinium hexafluorophosphate) was synthesized and conjugated with low toxicity of nanospheres (RBITC@SiO2), forming a new kind of fluorescent core–shell ellipsoidal RBITC@SiO2-IL nanoparticle. In vitro assay results indicate that particle shape plays an important role in cellular interactions with NPs. Furthermore, the positively charged ellipsoidal RBITC@SiO2-IL nanoparticles can enter into HeLa cells and induce the cells to condense, split and decrease on the oxygen consumption. The enhanced cell image and decrease of mitochondria potential indicate that the ellipsoidal RBITC@SiO2-IL nanoparticles could be uptaken by HeLa cells through mitochondria involved path. Experimental results give us a new path to design nano-medicines through ionic liquid modified silica nanoparticles to target mitochondria.