Imaging and therapeutic capabilities of the AuNPs@MnCO3/Mn3O4, coated with PAA and integrated with folic acid, doxorubicin and propidium iodide for murine breast cancer

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery systems have been designed to improve the efficiency of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. This strategy can also reduce the toxicity associated with these agents. Herein, a targeted imaging and therapeutic nanocomposite system, consisting of AuNPs double coated by MnCO3/Mn3O4 and polyacrylic acid, as CT-scan and MRI contrast agent, conjugated with folic acid, and loaded with doxorubicin and propidium iodide, as targeting, therapeutic and fluorescence agents, AuNPs@MnCO3/Mn3O4@PAA-FOA (Dox & PI)load, is reported. The performance of the system is supported by the following findings: (i) The MRI efficiency and pH sensitivity of the MnCO3/Mn3O4 nanocomposite supported by the MRI relaxation rates, 12.62 and 1.32 mM(-1) s(-1), obtained respectively at pHs of 5.5 and 7.4. (ii) The efficiency as well as the synergistic effect between the PI and AuNPs for enhancing the contrast of CT images revealed by the slopes of Hounsfield unit vs. system concentration, 23.22 and 32.63 HU L/g, obtained respectively for AuNPs@MnCO3/Mn3O4@PAA-FOA and AuNPs@MnCO3/ Mn3O4@PAA-FOA (PI)load. (iii) The intracellular delivery shown by the cytometry and fluorescence results. (iv) The anticancer activity supported by effect of Doxloaded-system on the growth of tumors. (v) The biodistribution in the 4T1 breast tumor-bearing BALB/c mice supported by the elemental analysis of the organs by ICP-OES. (vi) The biocompatibility supported by blood biochemistry and histopathological examinations. The experimental results are presented and discussed to approve the above mentioned supports.