Biosynthesis of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Potential Application in Cancer Treatment.

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally and its treatment and cure are therefore very important. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have been the major forms of treatment. In this work, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are biologically synthesized using maize leaves, plantain leaves and peels extracts as mediators. The synthesized particles were magnetic and this aided in their washing after the synthesis. UV-Vis spectroscopy pointed to the formation of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the absorption wavelength range of 300-800 nm was recorded. EDX data obtained showed the presence of Fe and O, depicting the presence of iron oxide in the sample. The EDX data also showed the presence of other elements such as Ca and K which were considered an evidence of the complexity of the plant extracts employed in the synthesis. FTIR analysis was conducted for both the plants used and the particles synthesized. The spectra, which was between ~3500 – ~450 cm-1, pointed to the presence of phenol compounds and proteins in the plant extracts that contributed to the formation of the magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles. It also showed the presence of Fe-O bonds at a wavenumber of 544 cm-1. SEM images obtained showed varying levels of agglomeration in particles formed. The particles were used on Hela cell and recorded a reduction in cell viability. The particles were responsible for a reduction of the cell viability (50.41- 60.82).