ZnO–Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Paclitaxel Delivery and Enhanced Toxicity in Breast Cancer Cells
Lorenzo Francesco Madeo, Christine Schirmer, Giuseppe Cirillo, A. Asha, Rasha Ghunaim, Samuel Froeschke, Daniel Wolf, Manuela Curcio, Paola Tucci, Francesca Iemma, B. Büchner, Silke Hampel, Michael Mertig
Abstract
A ZnO-Graphene oxide nanocomposite (Z-G) was prepared in order to exploit the biomedical features of each component in a single anticancer material. This was achieved by means of an environmentally friendly synthesis, taking place at a low temperature and without the involvement of toxic reagents. The product was physicochemically characterized. The ZnO-to-GO ratio was determined through thermogravimetric analysis, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to provide insight into the morphology of the nanocomposite. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it was possible to confirm that the graphene flakes were homogeneously coated with ZnO. The crystallite size of the ZnO nanoparticles in the new composite was determined using X-ray powder diffraction. The capacity of Z-G to enhance the toxicity of the anticancer drug Paclitaxel towards breast cancer cells was assessed via a cell viability study, showing the remarkable anticancer activity of the obtained system. Such results support the potential use of Z-G as an anticancer agent in combination with a common chemotherapeutic like Paclitaxel, leading to new chemotherapeutic formulations.