Development and evaluation of mesoporous montmorillonite/magnetite nanocomposites loaded with 5-Fluorouracil

Porous magnetic nanomaterials have attracted great attention in a variety of applications, particularly in the magnetically targeted and/or controlled release of various species. In this study, a new route was determined to prepare magnetic and mesoporous montmorillonite/magnetite nanocomposites (Mt-Mag NCs). The changes of textural properties of Mt-Mag NCs as a function of the surfactant and silica precursor composition ratios were investigated for the first time. The NCs were then investigated for loading and release performance of 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu). The NCs, selected for 5-Fu loading and release studies, showed a high surface area about 340.8 m(2)/ g, an average pore diameter of 8.24 nm, and a magnetization saturation of 18.7 emu/g. Interesting new information was also obtained in the method of determining 5-Fu by UV and the method was slightly modified according to obtained results. In vitro release experiments revealed that the NCs showed sustained release profiles of 5-Fu lasting approximately 8 h. Release profiles of 5-Fu from NCs could be fitted by Korsmeyer-Peppas and Hixson kinetics. In vitro cytotoxic study using MCF7 and CRL-4010 cell lines showed that the NCs are good candidates to delivery 5-Fu.