Targeted delivery and pH-responsive release of stereoisomeric anti-cancer drugs using β-cyclodextrin assemblied Fe3O4 nanoparticles

•β-Cyclodextrin assemblied magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (β-CD-MNPs) with good stability were successfully fabricated.•Stereoisomeric doxorubicin (DOX) and epirubicin (EPI) were used to explore the loading and release performance.•The loading properties of β-CD-MNPs were investigated using the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption equilibrium models.•1H NMR and the computer simulation were used to demonstrate the inclusion position between drug molecules and β-CD. The β-cyclodextrin assemblied magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (β-CD-MNPs) were successfully fabricated via a layer-by-layer method. Possessing an average size 14nm, good stability and super-paramagnetic response (Ms 64emu/g), the resultant nanocomposites could be served as a versatile biocompatible platform for selective loading, targeted delivery and pH-responsive release of stereoisomeric doxorubicin (DOX) and epirubicin (EPI). 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and the computer simulation further give the evidence that partial anthracene ring of drug molecule is included by β-CD. In addition, non-toxic β-CD-MNPs have excellent biocompatibility on MCF-7 cells, and cellular uptake indicate that different amounts of DOX or EPI can be transported to targeting site and released from the internalized carriers. The results demonstrate that as-prepared β-CD-MNPs could be a very promising vehicle for DOX and EPI.