Biophysical characterization of protopophyrin loaded magnetoliposomes

Magnetoliposomes are composed of liposomes and magnetic nanoparticles which have high potentials as a delivery vehicle of various bioactive molecules that could be used for therapeutic applications in both humans and animals. Photodynamic therapy is a treatment method based on the use of photosensitizer and visible light for various types of cancer. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is a metal free porphyrin which is a photosensitive agent and aggregation behavior of PpIX in neutral water makes it inappropriate for using in physiological studies of both human and animal. Purpose of this study is production and characterization of Protoporphyrin IX loaded magnetoliposomes, determination of the drug release rate from magnetoliposomes under the influence of external heat and magnetic field, and to investigate toxicity and photodynamic efficiency of PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes on MCF7 human breast cancer cell lines. PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes were produced to make the PpIX useful for photodynamic therapy and investigated the biophysical properties of the structure. DPPC, DSPE-PEG2000 lipids and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were used to prepare magnetoliposomes. Toxicity and in-vitro photodynamic effects of PpIX loaded ML in various concentrations were performed on MCF7 cell lines. Hydrodynamic diameter of PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes were measured as approximately 220 nm, however TEM measurement indicated that diameter of PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes change between 166 to 720 nm. PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes observed small enough for intravenous application in both cases. Iron content of magnetoliposomes affected the cell viability less than iron free liposomes. When the concentration of PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes were 350 nM, cell viability reduced to 66% but when white lights applied for 5 minutes, all cells died within 24 hours in 250 nM and higher concentrations. In-vitro results of this study show that PpIX loaded magnetoliposomes highly effective for photodynamic therapy application.