Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors, necessitating the development of novel drug delivery systems to enhance therapeutic efficacy. This study focuses on the green synthesis, characterization, and anti-cancer potential of cyclophosphamide-loaded...

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Main Authors: Ayesha Bibi, Ayesha Azmat, Salman Zafar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Results in Chemistry
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625004965
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author Ayesha Bibi
Ayesha Azmat
Salman Zafar
author_facet Ayesha Bibi
Ayesha Azmat
Salman Zafar
author_sort Ayesha Bibi
collection DOAJ
description Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors, necessitating the development of novel drug delivery systems to enhance therapeutic efficacy. This study focuses on the green synthesis, characterization, and anti-cancer potential of cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanoparticles for targeted glioblastoma therapy. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized, using Vitis vinifera (raisin) extract via a green precipitation method, and subsequently loaded with cyclophosphamide. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized using advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics were evaluated, under physiological (pH 7.4) and acidic (pH 5.5) conditions. The genotoxic effects were assessed using the comet assay, while anti-cancer efficacy, against U-87 glioblastoma cells, was determined via the crystal violet assay. The nanocomposite exhibited a 15.8% drug loading capacity and an encapsulation efficiency of 79.4%, with a controlled biphasic drug release pattern, demonstrating enhanced release in acidic conditions (87.4% at pH 5.5 vs. 61.8% at pH 7.4). The negative surface charge (−13.05 mV) confirmed its stability and biocompatibility. Genotoxicity studies indicated dose-dependent DNA damage, validating its mechanism of action. The drug-loaded nanocomposite showed a significantly lower IC₅₀ (422 μM) as compared to the free drug (5272 μM), demonstrating enhanced cytotoxicity against U-87 cells. The nanocomposite thus, exhibits improved bioavailability, controlled drug release, and enhanced anti-cancer efficacy, making it a promising candidate for glioblastoma therapy. Further in vivo studies are warranted to evaluate its clinical potential.
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spelling doaj-art-93e9897c1d634d2b8380e95184c2a9c82025-08-20T03:59:30ZengElsevierResults in Chemistry2211-71562025-07-011610251310.1016/j.rechem.2025.102513Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cellsAyesha Bibi0Ayesha Azmat1Salman Zafar2Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, PakistanInstitute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, PakistanCorresponding author.; Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, PakistanGlioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors, necessitating the development of novel drug delivery systems to enhance therapeutic efficacy. This study focuses on the green synthesis, characterization, and anti-cancer potential of cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanoparticles for targeted glioblastoma therapy. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized, using Vitis vinifera (raisin) extract via a green precipitation method, and subsequently loaded with cyclophosphamide. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized using advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics were evaluated, under physiological (pH 7.4) and acidic (pH 5.5) conditions. The genotoxic effects were assessed using the comet assay, while anti-cancer efficacy, against U-87 glioblastoma cells, was determined via the crystal violet assay. The nanocomposite exhibited a 15.8% drug loading capacity and an encapsulation efficiency of 79.4%, with a controlled biphasic drug release pattern, demonstrating enhanced release in acidic conditions (87.4% at pH 5.5 vs. 61.8% at pH 7.4). The negative surface charge (−13.05 mV) confirmed its stability and biocompatibility. Genotoxicity studies indicated dose-dependent DNA damage, validating its mechanism of action. The drug-loaded nanocomposite showed a significantly lower IC₅₀ (422 μM) as compared to the free drug (5272 μM), demonstrating enhanced cytotoxicity against U-87 cells. The nanocomposite thus, exhibits improved bioavailability, controlled drug release, and enhanced anti-cancer efficacy, making it a promising candidate for glioblastoma therapy. Further in vivo studies are warranted to evaluate its clinical potential.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625004965Cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanoparticlesAnti-cancer therapyDrug release profileGenotoxicity assessmentGlioblastoma U-87 cell line
spellingShingle Ayesha Bibi
Ayesha Azmat
Salman Zafar
Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells
Results in Chemistry
Cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanoparticles
Anti-cancer therapy
Drug release profile
Genotoxicity assessment
Glioblastoma U-87 cell line
title Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells
title_full Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells
title_fullStr Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells
title_full_unstemmed Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells
title_short Green-synthesized cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti-cancer activity against U-87 glioblastoma cells
title_sort green synthesized cyclophosphamide loaded magnetite nanocomposites for in vitro anti cancer activity against u 87 glioblastoma cells
topic Cyclophosphamide-loaded magnetite nanoparticles
Anti-cancer therapy
Drug release profile
Genotoxicity assessment
Glioblastoma U-87 cell line
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625004965
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