Synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of electrospun PVA magnetic nanofibers containing doxorubicin as targeted nanocarrier for drug delivery

Objective(s): The purpose of this study was preparation and evaluation of PVA-Fe3O4 nanofibers as nanocarrier of doxorubicin (DOX) by measuring their drug release together with their in vitro cytotoxicity toward cancer cells at different pH values. Methods: Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by coprecipitation method. The composite nanofibers of polyvinyl alcohol containing nanoparticles and anticancer drug DOX were fabricated by electrospinning method. The nanostructures were characterized by different techniques. The drug release was investigated by UV-Vis spectrophotometer at different pHs and 37.5 ̊C. Results: In vitro drug release experiments show that the doxorubicin release at pH=6.0 is promisingly more and faster than drug release at pH= 7.4. The fitted equation of release curves corresponds to Peppas model. Also, MTT assays indicate that the MNPs-doxorubicin-loaded nanocarrier has cytotoxicity comparable with free drug. Conclusions: The synthesized nanocarrier was successfully used for the efficient delivery of an anti-cancer drug into the tumor region. The DOX-loaded nanocarrier showed a steady and sustained release profile in vitro up to 72 h. The drug release from nanocarrier was better described using Peppas model.