green synthesis and surface modification of fe3o4 nanoparticles using curcumin extract and gum tragacanth for biomedical applications

Nanotechnology has become the core of research in healthcare, offering innovative solutions with prominent outcomes. in the field of nanomedicine, the desire for nanoparticles (nps) customized for precise therapeutic and diagnostic applications has been a driving force, and among these nps, iron oxide, specifically fe3o4 nps, have garnered significant attention. their innate magnetic properties have made them valuable candidates in numerous biomedical applications, but a fundamental challenge has hampered their widespread use—biocompatibility. recent research has unveiled the versatility of fe3o4 nps in various biomedical contexts, spanning antibacterial treatments, hyperthermia therapy, tissue engineering, cell separation, and gene delivery. yet, their effective application necessitates addressing the issue of biocompatibility. one of the proposed methods to improve their biocompatibility is coating the particles with biocompatible materials. on the other hand, green synthesis is more beneficial than traditional chemical synthesis because it uses non-toxic, safe and environmentally friendly reagents. this research presents a pioneering approach to tackle this challenge. harnessing the potential of green synthesis techniques, a curcumin extract, renowned for its medicinal properties, both as a reducing agent and a stabilizer is employed to synthesize and subsequently surface-modify fe3o4 nps. furthermore, considering that gum tragacanth (gt (is not only a natural polymer, native to iran and readily available, and is also biocompatible and approved by the fda, this polymer is applied as a surface modification agent aimed at elevating the biocompatibility of fe3o4 nps for biomedical applications. the produced fe3o4@gt nanocomposites were evaluated using x-ray diffraction (xrd), uv-vis spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ftir) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (fesem). the results demonstrate the successful surface modification of fe3o4 nps with gum tragacanth. these modifications are evident through pronounced changes in uv-vis absorption peak intensity, notable shifts in ftir chemical groups, and observable alterations in xrd peaks. high-resolution electron microscopy images provide a visual narrative, showcasing the nanostructure of the magnetic material before and after the coating process. crucially, these images reveal the formation of a thin yet robust layer of polymer after coating, promising enhanced biocompatibility. also, these nanocomposites showed excellent magnetic behavior even after surface modification by absorbing and sticking to iron-containing materials. this retained magnetism is crucial for various biomedical applications, such as magnetic targeting and separation. by harnessing the unique properties of curcumin extract and gum tragacanth, this approach enhances the potential of fe3o4 nanoparticles for diverse biomedical applications. this novel methodology extends the horizons of fe3o4 nanoparticles in the realm of healthcare and beyond, offering exciting possibilities for future research and development in the burgeoning field of nanomedicine. the intersection of green synthesis, surface modification, and enhanced biocompatibility presents an exciting avenue for the advancement of fe3o4 nanoparticles, poised to make significant contributions to the field of biomedicine and beyond.