In Vitro Effect of Folic Acid-Targeted, pH-Responsive and Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Selective Camptothecin Delivery to Prostate Cancer Cells

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Biotechnology Medical Department, College of Biotechnology, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq

2 Food Science Department, College of Food Science, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq

10.30476/ijns.2026.109576.1607

Abstract

Background: Developing targeted drug delivery; while reducing toxicity is undertaken to enhance therapeutic efficacy. This study focused on engineering a nanocomposite used to selectively deliver camptothecin (CPT), an effective anticancer drug, to prostate cancer cells via folic acid receptors.
Methods: Nanocomposite, composed of supermagnetic iron oxidedextran-camptothecin-folic acid nanoparticles (SPION-DEX-CPTFA), was synthesized by co-precipitation. The nanocomposites were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission and scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug encapsulation, pH-responsive release kinetics, cellular uptake, selective cytotoxicity (MTT assay), and apoptosis (by flowcytometry) were performed to evaluate the in vitro effect on prostate cancer cells and prostate normal cells.
Results: The synthesized nanocomposite had an average spherical diameter of 64.38 nm and a strong negative zeta potential of -43.8 mV. With a magnetic strength of 58 emu/g FTIR analysis, the successful coupling of all components was confirmed. The nanocomposite exhibited superior magnetic properties. It also demonstrated a very high drug encapsulation efficiency. The system exhibited a pH-stimulated release pattern, with accelerated CPT release at an acidic pH (5.4) compared to physiological pH (7.4). An enhanced uptake was verifie by prostate cancer cells. The formulation demonstrated strong cytotoxicity and discrimination against cancer cells (IC50=12 μg/ml at 24 h).
Conclusion: SPION-DEX-CPT-FA nanocomposite represented a promising platform for drug delivery. Its targeted delivery, precise release, selective anticancer activity suggest its potential use as an effective treatment for prostate cancer.

Keywords

References

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 August 2026

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