Browsing by Author "Tucci, Paola"

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    ZnO–Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite for Paclitaxel Delivery and Enhanced Toxicity in Breast Cancer Cells
    (Basel : MDPI, 2024) Madeo, Lorenzo Francesco; Schirmer, Christine; Cirillo, Giuseppe; Asha, Ayah Nader; Ghunaim, Rasha; Froeschke, Samuel; Wolf, Daniel; Curcio, Manuela; Tucci, Paola; Iemma, Francesca; Büchner, Bernd; Hampel, Silke; Mertig, Michael
    A ZnO-Graphene oxide nanocomposite (Z-G) was prepared in order to exploit the biomedical features of each component in a single anticancer material. This was achieved by means of an environmentally friendly synthesis, taking place at a low temperature and without the involvement of toxic reagents. The product was physicochemically characterized. The ZnO-to-GO ratio was determined through thermogravimetric analysis, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to provide insight into the morphology of the nanocomposite. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it was possible to confirm that the graphene flakes were homogeneously coated with ZnO. The crystallite size of the ZnO nanoparticles in the new composite was determined using X-ray powder diffraction. The capacity of Z-G to enhance the toxicity of the anticancer drug Paclitaxel towards breast cancer cells was assessed via a cell viability study, showing the remarkable anticancer activity of the obtained system. Such results support the potential use of Z-G as an anticancer agent in combination with a common chemotherapeutic like Paclitaxel, leading to new chemotherapeutic formulations.