Title: Synthesis, surface architecture and biological response of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for application in drug delivery: a review

Authors: Morteza Mahmoudi, Abbas S. Milani, Pieter Stroeve

Addresses: National Cell Bank, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 1316943551 Tehran, Iran. ' 3333 University Way, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, V1V 1V7, Canada. ' Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA

Abstract: The biological and medical applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are increasing fast. Therefore, the reduction of toxicity of SPION, by using various surface coatings, has become a main research area. This review article presents a summary of recent research and data on well-characterised SPION with different surface coatings (dextran, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylene glycol fumarate (PEGF), alginate, chitosan, albumin) along with cytotoxicity evaluation methods for drug delivery. The effect of the surface architecture of SPION in different delivery conditions is also reviewed. Cytotoxicity data are found to vary depending on the size, size distribution and surface derivatisation of SPION. In turn, these parameters depend on the methods of particle synthesis. The use of coprecipitation, microemulsions, thermal decomposition and hydrothermal synthesis are among the reviewed synthesis methods. Statistical techniques used for the optimisation of synthesis parameters have also been addressed.

Keywords: superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles; SPION; superparamagnetic; drug delivery; surface modification; biological response; surface coatings; nanotechnology; toxicity; cytotoxicity evaluation; particle synthesis; coprecipitation; microemulsions; thermal decomposition; hydrothermal synthesis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBNN.2010.034651

International Journal of Biomedical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2010 Vol.1 No.2/3/4, pp.164 - 201

Published online: 13 Aug 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article