Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: An Insight into their Biomedical Applications

Title:Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: An Insight into their Biomedical Applications

Volume: 22 Issue: 15

Author(s): Diana Couto, Marisa Freitas, Félix Carvalho and Eduarda Fernandes

Affiliation:

• UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.,Portugal

Keywords: Biodistribution, biomedical applications, coatings, internalization routes, iron oxide nanoparticles, toxicity.

Abstract: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) are among the most common types of nanoparticles (NPs) used in biomedical applications. IONs can be presented in different forms [e.g. magnetite (Fe₃O₄), hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) and maghemite (γ- Fe₂O₃)], and are usually coated with substances and/or polymers according to the purpose for which they are intended to be used. In recent years, IONs use has been increasing exponentially in many fields of biomedicine, namely in magnetic resonance imaging, cell sorting, tissue repair, induction of hyperthermia and drug delivery, among others. This review aims to provide an update on the different IONs and the substances and/or polymers that can be used to coat the IONs core as well as their applications and biological properties, namely their biodistribution in the human body and their cellular internalization pathways.

Cite this article as:

Couto Diana, Freitas Marisa, Carvalho Félix and Fernandes Eduarda, Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: An Insight into their Biomedical Applications, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2015; 22(15) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867322666150311151403