Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation

Nizamudin Hussien; Enes Güncüm; Nuran Işiklan; Mustafa Türk

doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842580

Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to develop and characterize a magnetite-graphene oxide (m-GO) nanoplatform for the controlled, pH-sensitive delivery of doxorubicin (DOX), with an emphasis on improving targeted anticancer activity and minimizing systemic toxicity. The potential application of this system in both human and veterinary oncology was also considered. Materials and Methods: Magnetite-functionalized graphene oxide (m-GO) nanoparticles were synthesized by decorating graphene oxide with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. DOX was loaded onto the m-GO system, and the loading was confirmed by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size and zeta potential. In vitro drug release studies were conducted at pH 5.5 and 7.4 to assess pH sensitivity. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the MTT assay on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Drug release kinetics were also analyzed to determine the release mechanism. Results: The synthesized nanoparticles had a mean particle size of 42.18 ± 4.22 nm and a zeta potential of −19.3 ± 1.54 mV. Drug release studies showed enhanced DOX release at acidic pH (5.5), indicating pH sensitivity. The MTT assay demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, with free DOX showing immediate higher toxicity, while DOX-loaded m-GO provided controlled cytotoxic effects. Release kinetics analysis revealed a Fickian diffusion-controlled mechanism. Conclusion: DOX-loaded m-GO nanoparticles exhibited favorable physicochemical properties and pH-sensitive drug release behavior. Their ability to provide controlled drug delivery with sustained cytotoxicity suggests that they may serve as promising nanocarrier systems for targeted cancer therapy, with potential applications in both human and veterinary medicine.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Kırıkkale University

Project Number

2017/020

Ethical Statement

Not applicable (in vitro study only).

Thanks

Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Kırıkkale University

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Pharmacology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nizamudin Hussien
0000-0003-0110-0444
Türkiye

Enes Güncüm
0000-0001-8127-8730
Türkiye

Nuran Işiklan ^*
0000-0002-4051-6533
Türkiye

Mustafa Türk
0000-0001-8202-090X
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 29, 2026

Submission Date

December 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842580

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA75ML93JZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Hussien, N., Güncüm, E., Işiklan, N., & Türk, M. (2026). Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research, 10(1), 101-109. https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842580

AMA

1.Hussien N, Güncüm E, Işiklan N, Türk M. Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation. TJVR. 2026;10(1):101-109. doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842580

Chicago

Hussien, Nizamudin, Enes Güncüm, Nuran Işiklan, and Mustafa Türk. 2026. “Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for PH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10 (1): 101-9. https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842580.

EndNote

Hussien N, Güncüm E, Işiklan N, Türk M (March 1, 2026) Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10 1 101–109.

IEEE

[1]N. Hussien, E. Güncüm, N. Işiklan, and M. Türk, “Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation”, TJVR, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 101–109, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47748/tjvr.1842580.

ISNAD

Hussien, Nizamudin - Güncüm, Enes - Işiklan, Nuran - Türk, Mustafa. “Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for PH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10/1 (March 1, 2026): 101-109. https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1842580.

JAMA

1.Hussien N, Güncüm E, Işiklan N, Türk M. Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation. TJVR. 2026;10:101–109.

MLA

Hussien, Nizamudin, et al. “Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for PH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 10, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 101-9, doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842580.

Vancouver

1.Nizamudin Hussien, Enes Güncüm, Nuran Işiklan, Mustafa Türk. Development of Magnetite-Graphene Oxide Nanoplatforms for pH-Sensitive Doxorubicin Delivery and Cytotoxicity Evaluation. TJVR. 2026 Mar. 1;10(1):101-9. doi:10.47748/tjvr.1842580