Development and characterization of Fe2O3 nanoparticles coated with chitosan and folic acid for biomedical applications

Abstract

Polymeric inorganic nanoparticles have emerged as promising nanomedicines due to their unique properties, offering enhanced antibacterial and anticancer effects. Thus, the study focus on the synthesis of Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ coated with chitosan and folic acid nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃-CS-FA NPs) mediated by Tagetes erecta (T. erecta) extract and assess their biological effects. The synthesized NPs are analysed by various characterisation techniques. FTIR spectroscopy of Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs revealed characteristic peaks corresponding to Fe₂O₃, chitosan, and folic acid molecules. The XRD pattern confirmed the successful synthesis of Fe₂O₃ NPs and Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs, indicating a rhombohedral structure. FESEM demonstrated spherical structures for both Fe₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against various pathogens using the disk diffusion method, showing that Fe₂O₃-CS-FA NPs demonstrated superior antibacterial activity compared to Fe₂O₃ NPs. In terms of antioxidant activity, Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs showed the highest scavenging activity against DPPH, outperforming Fe₂O₃ NPs. The anticancer activity of both Fe₂O₃ NPs and Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs was tested against the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line, where Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs demonstrated greater anticancer activity with an IC50 value of 10.2 μg/mL compared to Fe₂O₃ at 13.8 μg/mL. Based on the findings of this research, there is a strong indication that Fe₂O₃ -CS-FA NPs hold significant potential as a nanomaterial well-suited for advanced biomedical applications in the industry.