Plant-mediated synthesis of biocompatible Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia therapy: A preclinical study in pharmaceutical nanotechnology

This study employs an eco-friendly approach to synthesize superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (SPIO) using Aegle Marmelos (A. Marmelos) pulp extract as a surfactant as well as a reducing agent. The pulp extract from A. marmelos is medicinally employed to treat cholera, diabetes, skin infections, earaches, blood purification, and heart problems. Further, the XRD and TEM analyses confirmed the formation of SPIO nanoparticles with a cubic structure and crystallite sizes ranging from 5 to 12 nm. The FE-SEM showed that the SPIO displayed a uniform distribution with quasi-spherical morphology. FTIR evaluation directed the existence of iron-oxygen (Fe-O) bonds, while XPS analysis confirmed iron (Fe) in both +3 and + 2 oxidation states. SQUID studies verify the superparamagnetic nature of the material, with a magnetization (Ms) of 42.02 emu/g. Following characterization, the hyperthermia performance and specific loss power (SLP) of SPIO nanoparticles were systematically explored to assess their dependency on concentration, frequency, and the alternating magnetic field (AC field). These SPIO nanoparticles exhibit excellent hyperthermia proficiency (42–45 °C), with SLP values of 153.48 and 40.33 W/g at concentrations of 1 mg/mL in aqueous media (DI H₂O) and ethylene glycol media (E.G.), respectively, under an AC field (400 A). Furthermore, different concentrations of SPIO were tested for acute toxicity using a static renewal bioassay method. The results indicate non-toxic behavior towards vital organs such as the ovaries, gills, liver, heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles of the benthopelagic fish Cirrhinusmrigala . These findings highlight the potential of the SPIO nanoparticles as biocompatible for magnetic hyperthermia applications (MHT). These newly developed SPIO nanoparticles are suitable for deployment in the medical field, as they exhibit remarkable performance in the treatment of MHT when exposed to an AC field.