Mesoporous Magnetic Nanoparticles Functionalized With Quaternary Ammonium Salts as Targeted Nanocarriers for Doxorubicin Delivery in Breast Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Background: Nanotechnology offers promising strategies to overcome major limitations of conventional cancer chemotherapy, including poor targeting, systemic toxicity, and low drug bioavailability. This study focuses on developing a biocompatible magnetic nanocarrier modified with a quaternary ammonium salt to improve the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin in MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. Methods: Mesoporous silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles were modified with a Quaternary ammonium salt prepared from to enhance drug loading capacity, biocompatibility, stability, and anticancer efficacy. The nanocarrier was characterized using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate its structure, size, and surface properties. In vitro drug release was evaluated at pH 7.4 and 5.5 to simulate physiological and tumor microenvironments, respectively. Biological performance and therapeutic potential were assessed through cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and hemolysis assays. Results: The synthesized nanocarrier exhibited uniform size distribution, positive surface charge, and strong magnetic properties as confirmed by DLS, zeta potential, and VSM analyses. FTIR and XRD confirmed successful surface modification without compromising structural integrity. Drug release studies demonstrated pH-responsive behavior, with higher release under acidic conditions. Cellular uptake results exhibited efficient internalization of the nanocarriers by the cancer cells. The drug loaded nanocarrier induced significant cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cancer cells, while the hemolysis assay indicated good compatibility with red blood cells. Conclusions: The prepared quaternary ammonium salt-modified mesoporous magnetic nanocarrier demonstrates efficient physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and enhanced anticancer activity. These findings suggest its potential as an effective and targeted drug delivery system for breast cancer chemotherapy.