Magnetoliposomes for controlled drug release in the presence of low-frequency magnetic field
Journal article, 2010

In this work we have studied the effect of a low-frequency alternating magnetic field (LF-AMF) on the permeability of magnetoliposomes, i.e. liposomes including magnetic nanoparticles within their water pool. Large unilamellar liposomes loaded with magnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe 2O4) have been prepared and characterized. Structural characterization of the liposomal dispersion has been performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The enhancement of liposome permeability upon exposure to LF-AMF has been measured as the self-quenching decrease of a fluorescent hydrophilic molecule (carboxyfluorescein, CF) entrapped in the liposome pool. Liposome leakage has been monitored as a function of field frequency, time of exposure and concentration, charge and size of the embedded nanoparticles. The results show that CF release from magnetoliposomes is strongly promoted by LF-AMF, reasonably as a consequence of nanoparticle motions in the liposome pool at the applied frequency. CF release as a function of time in magnetoliposomes unexposed to magnetic field follows Fickian diffusion, while samples exposed to LF-AMF show zero-order kinetics, consistently with an anomalous transport, due to an alteration of the bilayer permeability. These preliminary results open up new perspectives in the use of these systems as carriers in targeted and controlled release of drugs.

Author

Silvia Nappini

University of Florence

Francesca Baldelli Bombelli

University of Florence

Massimo Bonini

University of Florence

Bengt Nordén

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Physical Chemistry

P. Baglioni

University of Florence

Soft Matter

1744-683X (ISSN) 1744-6848 (eISSN)

Vol. 6 1 154-162

Areas of Advance

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (SO 2010-2017, EI 2018-)

Energy

Life Science Engineering (2010-2018)

Materials Science

Subject Categories

Physical Chemistry

Roots

Basic sciences

DOI

10.1039/b915651h

More information

Latest update

7/17/2019