Magnetic Nanoparticles Synthesized with Different Precursor Stoichiometry Induced Differential Toxicity in Multiple Cell Lines

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles are extensively used in biomedical applications, targeted drug delivery, magnetic imaging contrast agents etc. Along with its potent application it becomes necessary to exploit the biological implications of these profoundly used iron oxide nanoparticles. Iron oxide nanoparticles can have toxic effect depending on its size and cellular uptake at various extents on different types of cell lines. It is in critical need to scrutinize the possible toxicity of different magnetic nanoparticles at different types of cell lines. In the present study we have compared the toxicity of two types of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized by using the precursors at different stoichiometry. The characterization of the as synthesized nanoparticles was done by using UV visible spectrophotometry, DLS and FTIR. The toxicity was assayed for cell lines like 3T3, PC12 and MCF 7 cells. The results revealed that the two types of iron oxide nanoparticles exert differential toxicity in these cell lines. The outcome of this study may enlighten the safer mode and dose of application of such nanoparticles for various purposes in future.