Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fluorescence, and Drug Release Properties of Curcumin-Loaded PEGylated Magnetite@Graphene Quantum Dots Nanocomposite.

Background: Multifunctional nanosystems, containing medical imaging components and cancer therapeutic drugs, can provide early cancer diagnosis and treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), anticancer drug delivery, and fluorescence properties of curcumin-loaded PEGylated magnetite@graphene quantum dots nanocomposite. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, PEGylated magnetite@graphene quantum dots (Fe3O4@GQDs-PEG) nanocomposite was synthesized and loaded with curcumin (CUR-Fe3O4@GQDs-PEG). Then, the size, shape, magnetic property, MRI r2 relaxivity, drug loading and in vitro release, and fluorescence property of the nanocomposite were investigated. Evaluation of the cell toxicity against MCF-7 cells was performed for both unloaded and curcumin-loaded nanocomposites. Results: The superparamagnetic nanocomposite showed high r2 relaxivity, drug release, and fluorescence property. The curcumin-loaded nanocomposite was significantly toxic to the breast cancer cell line at high concentrations. Conclusion: CUR-Fe3O4@GQDs-PEG nanocomposite can be considered an anticancer drug carrier and an appropriate potential candidate for dual modal MRI and fluorescence imaging.