In vitro evaluation of anticancer properties of Mn-substituted magnetite ferrofluids with human osteosarcoma and cervical cancer cells

Abstract

Aqueous manganese (Mn)-doped magnetite is an interesting candidate for cancer therapy owing to its unique magnetic, optical, and viscosity properties and its response to an external magnetic field. This paper addresses the preparation of manganese-doped magnetite ferrofluids MnxFe1-xFe2O4 (x = 0 to 0.8) by a chemical co-precipitation reaction with tetramethylammonium hydroxide surfactant for their potential application in cancer therapy. Mn-doped magnetite is analyzed for its magneto-viscosity and magneto-optical behaviors as a function of composition. Our findings show enhancements in viscosity, density, and optical properties with increasing particle concentration under the influence of an external magnetic field. Raman spectroscopic analysis of MnxFe1-xFe2O4 shows characteristic peak shifts at 303, 474 and 680 cm−1 corresponding to MnFe2O4. Interestingly, the Faraday rotation response is influenced largely by the external field upon increasing the composition of ferrofluids, making them ideal for targeted therapy and nano-therapeutic applications. MnxFe1-xFe2O4 exhibited increased toxicity to cancer cells compared to normal cells with increasing particle concentration, which is well in alignment with its functional properties. Furthermore, the study also presents the scope for its use as a localized treatment of tumors with maximum tissue retention upon skin permeation for 24 h. Thus, our results clearly demonstrate the fine tuning of magneto-optical properties by manganese doping of ferrofluids without compromising their biocompatibility or imparting anti-cancer activity.