2022 Annual Meeting
Synthesis of Iron-Flavoniod Complex Nanoparticles
One of the major obstacles in the treatment of cancers is the development of drug resistance of tumor cells during chemotherapy. In addition, the lack of efficient and safe tracking protocols also hinders understanding of the treatment process. Due to their biocompatibility, iron-based materials have been developed as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery, and therapy. The natural flavonoids rutin, quercetin, and luteolin were used as a coordination ligand for the preparation of the nanoparticles. Rutin, as well as other flavonoids, is known as an anticancer agent and has the potential to inhibit cell proliferation and cause apoptosis in cancer cells. However, its poor solubility has limited its uses in biomedical research. Here, we plan to overcome this limitation by forming flavonoid-Fe complex nanoparticles. Specifically, the effects of reaction pH, flavonoid-to-Fe ratio, and buffers on the formation of nanoparticles were studied using dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet visible light spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. These novel iron nanostructures will have the potential of overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment and serve as imaging nanoprobes.