Abstract
In this study, we describe the magnetic and structural properties and cytotoxicity of drug delivery composite (DDC) consisting of hexagonally ordered mesoporous silica, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (Fe2O3), and the drug naproxen (Napro). The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen was adsorbed into the pores of MCM-41 silica after the ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) encapsulation. Our results confirm the suppression of the Brownian relaxation process caused by a "gripping effect" since the rotation of the whole particle encapsulated in the porous system of mesoporous silica was disabled. This behavior was observed for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, the dominant relaxation mechanism in powder and liquid form is the Néel process when the rotation of the nanoparticle's magnetic moment is responsible for the relaxation. The in vitro cytotoxicity tests were performed using human glioma U87 MG cells, and the moderate manifestation of cell death, although at high concentrations of studied systems, was observed with fluorescent labeling by AnnexinV/FITC. All our results indicate that the as-prepared MCM-41/Napro/Fe2O3 composite has a potential application as a drug nanocarrier for magnetic-targeted drug delivery.