Effect of sonochemically synthesized Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4DyxFe2-xO4 nanospinel ferrites on human colorectal carcinoma and human embryonic kidney cells

Abstract

Dysprosium-substituted nickel-copper-zinc ferrite Ni0.4Cu0.2Zn0.4DyxFe2-xO4 (x & LE; 0.10) nanospinel ferrites (NSFs) (Dy-NiCuZn NSFs) were prepared by an ultrasonication assisted sol-gel chemical approach. The synthesized Dy-NiCuZn NSFs displayed a Porous Microsphere Assembly (PMA) based on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed the cubic spinel structures of the NSFs and their crystallite sizes ranged between 17.19 and 30.22 nm. TEM analysis revealed the presence of Dy-NiCuZn NSFs with a 15.2 nm size in diameter. BET surface analysis calculations showed that the pore size of NSFs varies between 3.0 nm and 4.0 nm. A microporous structure was confirmed in the NSFs, and their surface area generally decreased (247 to 201 m2/g) as the Dy ratio increased in the NSFs. Antiproliferative activities of NSFs were studied on HCT-116 human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116) and human embryonic kidney cells. Inhibitory concentration values of NSFs were determined to lie between 145 & mu;g/mL to 408 & mu;g/mL for HCT-116 cells. A noteworthy reduction in cell viability after the treatments of cells with NSFs was detected. NSFs-treated cells showed nuclear disintegration and chromatic fragmentation which are signs of apoptosis or programmed cell death in human colorectal cancer cells.