ABSTRACT
Magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were sythesized using solvothermal reaction and then coated with titanium oxide (TiO2) via sol-gel process of hydrolysis and condensation of tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT). The obtained Fe3O4-TiO2 particles were characterized with transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The loading and release of doxorubicin (DOX) were evaluated. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to study the cytotoxicity and effect of chemo-photodynamic therapy. The obtained Fe3O4-TiO2 particles were uniform and well dispersed. The loading capacity of DOX was 43%. A pH-sensitive release property of Fe3O4-TiO2-DOX was observed. In the cytotoxicity experiment, cytotoxicity was found upon combination of Fe3O4-TiO2-DOX and ultraviolet (UV), while no obvious cytotoxicity was found in the blank Fe3O4-TiO2 particles. In conclusion, the fabricated Fe3O4-TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited a high loading capacity and excellent photodynamic therapeutic effect, suggesting that it may be used as a novel carrier for chemo-photodynamic therapy of cancer.