Mitoxantrone-loaded zeolite beta nanoparticles: Preparation, physico-chemical characterization and biological evaluation

This article describes the preparation and the physico-chemical characterization of a new host–guest system consisting of zeolite beta nanoparticles as host and mitoxantrone as guest. The resulting host–guest system mitoxantrone@beta is characterized in terms of morphology (transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering), structure (powder wide-angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption), surface charge (ξ-potential measurements), and optical properties (UV–visible absorption, steady-state fluorescence). Mitoxantrone@beta particles are monodisperse in size with a mean diameter centered around 100 nm. Mitoxantrone guest molecules are adsorbed at the micropore entrances of zeolite host. Resulting nanoparticles retrieve the interesting optical properties of guest molecules with a fluorescence emission band in the near-infrared region. Mitoxantrone loading is comparatively evaluated by three different means (elemental analysis, direct and indirect UV–visible absorption studies) showing a loading level of 6.8 μmol/g. Mitoxantrone@beta nanoparticles also show a noticeable cytotoxic effect when applied to cancer cells.

Graphical abstractA new host–guest system consisting of zeolite beta nanoparticles as host and mitoxantrone as guest shows interesting features in terms of optical properties as well as in terms of cytotoxicity when applied to cancer cells. The described functional host–guest nanosystem appears highly promising towards the development of new theranostic nanodevices.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (167 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 100 nm-sized mitoxantrone-loaded spherical zeolite beta nanoparticles. ► Mitoxantrone loading of 6.8 μmol/g. ► Low toxicity of bare zeolite beta. ► Efficient cytotoxicity of mitoxantrone-loaded zeolite beta toward cancer cells. ► NIR optical properties.