Magnesium doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles: A promising material for apatite formation and mitomycin c delivery to the MG-63 cancer cells

Dual functional, magnesium-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (Mg-MBG NPs) were prepared for bone regeneration and drug delivery. Template-assisted (F127) economical sol-gel method was used to prepare spherical Mg-MBG NPS of 65 ± 5 nm as determined by TEM. Different initial concentrations (0.1–0.5 mg/mL) of Mitomycin C (Mc) were used for loading to the Mg-MBG, and as a result, the variable amount of drug was loaded. Drug release was studied at different pH values (6.4, 7.4 & 8.4) of the release media which showed a maximum cumulative release of 89%, at a pH of 6.4. MTT assay indicated no significant cytotoxicity in normal human fibroblast (NHFB) cells and in vivo tissue histopathology revealed no damage to the cells. Mc loaded Mg-MBG NPs inhibited the MG-63 cancer cell viability at all concentrations and showed the IC50 value of 20.8 µg/mL. XRD and FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) upon immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Thus biocompatible Mg-MBG with low cytotoxicity and sustained drug release was entitled as a safe biomaterial.