Green synthesis and optimization of iron oxide nanoparticles using central composite design as MRI contrast agent

Iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) derived from herbal plants are being explored as potential MRI contrast agents due to their biocompatibility and ability for targeted drug delivery. We for the first time have attempted the usage of various novel combinations of leaf extracts like Azadirachta indica, and Piper betel and with two other Ayurvedic herbs extracts such as Asparagus racemosus and Symplocos for an ecofriendly green synthesis of FeNPs. The nanoparticles were coated on nanofibers made from banana pseudo (FENPs-NF) stem to enhance biocompatibility. The synthesis process was optimized using RSM and techniques like UV-Vis, VSM, AAS,FE-SEM, EDAX, and FT-IR was used for Characterization. Haemolytic, immune cell assays, MTT assay and MRI was analyzed. A peak at 325 nm through the UV-Vis spectroscopy, AAS, FE-SEM, EDAX, and FT-IR proved the presence of FeNPs. Haemolytic, immune cell assay was found to be compatible and MTT assay (MCF -7) showed inhibition at 250 µg/ml. The FeNPs and FeNPs-NF showed a good signal loss in MRI analysis at 1.5 Tesla based proving the property of contrast agent nature. Thus, synthesized FeNPs from herbal plant sources may open a new door for its potential application in the biomedical field as a chemical-free and biocompatible MRI contrast agent.