Multifunctional mesoporous magnetic Mg2SiO4–CuFe2O4 core-shell nanocomposite for simultaneous bone cancer therapy and regeneration

Abstract Traditional bone grafts have shown their abilities for successful bone regeneration, but they are not able to address other critical problems such as infection and bone cancer beside bone regeneration. Multifunctional nanocomposites are highly being assessed as potential materials capable of addressing the mentioned crucial problems and basic requirements of bone regeneration simultaneously. In this study, by adopting a two-step strategy including sol-gel combustion and surfactant-assisted sol-gel methods, multifunctional Mg2SiO4–CuFe2O4 nanocomposite is synthesized. The nanocomposite's phase, morphology, textural properties, and elemental distribution are characterized and the results evidence that the mesoporous magnetic nanocomposite with core-shell structure is successfully obtained and no undesirable phase except Mg2SiO4 and CuFe2O4 is detected. Next, the bioactivity potential into simulated body fluid (SBF), antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, heat generation capability (hyperthermia), MTT assay, and cell attachment of the nanocomposite are assessed in vitro. After 21 days of soaking into SBF, the surface of nanocomposite is completely covered with Ca–P particles proving its bioactive nature. The nanocomposite has better antibacterial activity against E. coli rather than S. aureus bacteria. By exposing the nanocomposite to different external magnetic fields and constant frequency, it is found that based on the need the heat generation capability can be altered. The cell viability increases with diluting the concentration of nanocomposite from 100 to 25 mg/mL and cell attachment study shows that MG63 cells are spread and attached to the surface of nanocomposite. Through the results of present study, it can be suggested that the nanocomposite by showing antibacterial activity which prevents localized infection and also heat generation capability which eradicates bone cancerous cells is regarded promising for simultaneous bone cancer therapy and regeneration.