In this study, an effective nano-drug delivery system was prepared by the co-precipitation method via two steps; the preparation of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles and its surface modification with layered double hydroxide (LDH) and loading lamivudine on this nanocarrier (Fe3O4@CaAl-LDH@Lamivudine). The developed nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, vibrating-sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. The prepared system demonstrated an average size of 130 nm. Also, the drug entrapment efficiency was estimated at ∼70%. In vitro, drug release investigations showed a controlled and pH-dependent lamivudine release over 300 min. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of Fe3O4@CaAl-LDH@Lamivudine NPs was explored against Mel-Rm and A-549 cancer cell lines in comparison with lamivudine and nanocarrier using lactate dehydrogenase colorimetric and MTT assay. The results of the MTT assay revealed that the Fe3O4@CaAl-LDH@Lamivudine NPs significantly inhibited the proliferation of Mel-Rm and A-549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The influences of Fe3O4@CaAl-LDH@Lamivudine on the cancer cell lines by different therapeutic investigation illustrated the remarkable effect in comparison with free drug. Finally, the achieved consequences confirm the anticancer properties of Fe3O4@CaAl-LDH@Lamivudine and indicate that they may be a cost-effective substitute in the treatment of lung and skin cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Keywords: A-549 cells; Lamivudine; Mel-Rm cells; layered double hydroxide; pH-responsive nanoparticles.