Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation

Abstract Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have facilitated the application of nanoparticles in various biomedical fields. This study synthesized iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄) and evaluated their cytotoxic and anticancer effects on SK-OV...

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Main Authors: Parnian Rajabzadeh, Pooneh Zoorazma, Maryam Abbasi, Seyed Ataollah Sadat Shandiz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02386-0
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author Parnian Rajabzadeh
Pooneh Zoorazma
Maryam Abbasi
Seyed Ataollah Sadat Shandiz
author_facet Parnian Rajabzadeh
Pooneh Zoorazma
Maryam Abbasi
Seyed Ataollah Sadat Shandiz
author_sort Parnian Rajabzadeh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have facilitated the application of nanoparticles in various biomedical fields. This study synthesized iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄) and evaluated their cytotoxic and anticancer effects on SK-OV-3 (ovarian carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) human cell lines. Characterization of Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was performed using SEM, EDS, XPS, VSM and zeta potential analysis. The Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄-treated group exhibited a significantly increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to the control group. To assess the cytotoxic activities of Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the MTT assay was utilized, revealing a dose- and time-dependent response. Flow cytometry-based apoptosis assays revealed that cytotoxicity was mediated through apoptosis in both MCF-7 and SK-OV-3 cells. Gene expression analysis utilizing real-time PCR revealed significant alterations in Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-8, and caspase-9 levels following Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ treatment. Notably, the Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle exhibited higher cytotoxicity against SK-OV-3, MCF-7 cancerous cells compared to normal cells. Caspase-8 mRNA expression increased by 1.40-fold in MCF-7 and 1.11-fold in SK-OV-3 cell lines. Caspase-3/7 protein levels rose by 3.00-fold in Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄-treated SK-OV-3 cells. Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ induced total apoptosis in 79.8% of MCF-7 and 77.01% of SK-OV-3 cells, as confirmed by flow cytometry, indicating strong pro-apoptotic activity in both cell lines. These findings suggest that Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles possess potent anticancer activity and offer the potential for targeted drug delivery enhancement.
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spelling doaj-art-9310b90ce71e449ea7022ddd00ba9bf52025-08-20T03:08:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-02386-0Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generationParnian Rajabzadeh0Pooneh Zoorazma1Maryam Abbasi2Seyed Ataollah Sadat Shandiz3Department of Biology, CT.C., Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Biology, CT.C., Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Biology, CT.C., Islamic Azad UniversityDepartment of Biology, CT.C., Islamic Azad UniversityAbstract Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have facilitated the application of nanoparticles in various biomedical fields. This study synthesized iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄) and evaluated their cytotoxic and anticancer effects on SK-OV-3 (ovarian carcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) human cell lines. Characterization of Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was performed using SEM, EDS, XPS, VSM and zeta potential analysis. The Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄-treated group exhibited a significantly increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to the control group. To assess the cytotoxic activities of Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the MTT assay was utilized, revealing a dose- and time-dependent response. Flow cytometry-based apoptosis assays revealed that cytotoxicity was mediated through apoptosis in both MCF-7 and SK-OV-3 cells. Gene expression analysis utilizing real-time PCR revealed significant alterations in Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-8, and caspase-9 levels following Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ treatment. Notably, the Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle exhibited higher cytotoxicity against SK-OV-3, MCF-7 cancerous cells compared to normal cells. Caspase-8 mRNA expression increased by 1.40-fold in MCF-7 and 1.11-fold in SK-OV-3 cell lines. Caspase-3/7 protein levels rose by 3.00-fold in Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄-treated SK-OV-3 cells. Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ induced total apoptosis in 79.8% of MCF-7 and 77.01% of SK-OV-3 cells, as confirmed by flow cytometry, indicating strong pro-apoptotic activity in both cell lines. These findings suggest that Pd@CQD@Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles possess potent anticancer activity and offer the potential for targeted drug delivery enhancement.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02386-0Iron oxide nanoparticlesAnticancerApoptosisMCF-7SK-OV-3 cells
spellingShingle Parnian Rajabzadeh
Pooneh Zoorazma
Maryam Abbasi
Seyed Ataollah Sadat Shandiz
Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation
Scientific Reports
Iron oxide nanoparticles
Anticancer
Apoptosis
MCF-7
SK-OV-3 cells
title Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation
title_full Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation
title_fullStr Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation
title_full_unstemmed Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation
title_short Preparation of Iron oxide/palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots (Pd@CQD@Fe3O4): insight to anti-cancer effect and ROS generation
title_sort preparation of iron oxide palladium nanoparticles modified with carbon quantum dots pd cqd fe3o4 insight to anti cancer effect and ros generation
topic Iron oxide nanoparticles
Anticancer
Apoptosis
MCF-7
SK-OV-3 cells
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02386-0
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