Folic Acid-Functionalized MWCNT-Conjugated Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Cell Delivery of Astaxanthin.

ABSTRACT: In this study, zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) were synthesized using astaxanthin (AST) rich extract (AZ) and subsequently conjugated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (AZM) and functionalized with folic acid (FA) (FAZM) to develop a cancer-targeting nanocomposite with enhanced anticancer efficacy. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), electrophoretic light scattering (ELS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). FAZM exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, with IC₅₀ values of 822.78 μg/mL against ABTS and 320.70 μg/mL against DPPH free radicals. Biocompatibility assessments revealed that FA

SUBMITTER: You HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12535815 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature