Multifunctional Iron Oxide Nanocarriers Synthesis for Drug Delivery, Diagnostic Imaging, and Biodistribution Study.

The aim of the current study is to design the radiolabeled and drug-loaded nanocarrier with high loading capacity and pH-dependent drug release characteristics that could effectively transport loaded compounds to various organs for efficient diagnostic imaging and chemotherapeutic drug delivery. The aqueous extract of green tea leaves was used to synthesize the small-sized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). The nanoparticles were characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Iron oxide nanoparticles with sizes smaller than 50 nm were successfully synthesized, making them suitable for in vivo studies. In drug loading trials, 94% of the drug was loaded onto the active surface of iron oxide nanoparticles from the solution. The in vitro drug release study revealed that an acidic environment (pH 4.5) effectively triggers the release of doxorubicin (DOX) from the nanoparticles as compared to a neutral environment (pH 7.4). The gamma-emitting radionuclide 99mTc was successfully labeled with IONPs for biodistribution and imaging studies. The efficiency of radiolabeling was observed to be ≥ 99%. Furthermore, the in vivo biodistribution study of radiolabeled IONPs in rabbit model showed rapid accumulation in various organs such as heart, liver, and kidneys. This work suggested that green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles are potential nanocarriers for diagnostic imaging and efficiently distributing DOX to specific organs. The aqueous extract of green tea leaves was used for the facile green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Furthermore, the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) and gamma-emitting radionuclide 99mTc were loaded on these iron oxide nanoparticles to evaluate the in vivo biodistribution and drug delivery studies in the rabbit models.

Formulation and Characterization of Calcium-Fortified Jelly and Its Proximate Composition and Sensory Analysis.

Calcium is a dynamic mineral. Recent discoveries designate that low intake of calcium generates deficiencies and path to other diseases. Food fortification could play a key role to overcome this problem. To cope with this deficiency problem, jellies were formulated with food-grade calcium salts and chicken eggshell powder. In the present study, three different concentrations of calcium salts, as well as eggshell powder were used to formulate jellies. The results of the sensory evaluation indicated that the two jelly products (A&D) in the current study were suitable for consumers. Results of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer revealed Jelly A and jelly D had 151±0.05 ppm and 133±0.06 ppm calcium concentration, respectively. Proximate analysis of Jelly A showed that it has 6.0±0.01% ash, 9.2±0.1% moisture, 0.4±0.01 g crude protein, 82.79±0.001 g crude fiber, and 0.61±0.001 g crude fat, while the jelly D that was made with chicken eggshell powder exhibited 6.0±0.01% ash, 10.1±0.1% moisture, 0.5±0.01 g protein, 84.54±0.01 g crude fiber and 1.61±0.01 g crude fat. Therefore, these two jelly A & D were greatly appreciated among other attributes. In spite of naturally available calcium-rich sources, calcium-fortified jellies can be consumed by individuals who are incapable to take sufficient calcium from their diet.