Sulfated xyloglucan-based magnetic nanocomposite for preliminary evaluation of theranostic potential

Chemically sulfated xyloglucan (S_XLG) was applied to encapsulate hydrophilic quercetin sulfate (Q_SO3) into superparamagnetic nanocomposites (MNSXQ_SO3) synthesized via interfacial polyaddition reaction. This nanoplatform was evaluated concerning in vitro antitumor activity, drug release profile, and magnetic behavior under a magnetic field. MNSXQ_SO3 exhibited antitumor activity against four human tumor cell lines: leukemia HL-60 (IC50 = 1.58 ± 0.54 μg mL−1), glioblastoma SNB-19 (IC50 = 8.77 ± 0.36 μg mL−1), colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 (IC50 = 8.69 ± 0.21 μg mL−1) and prostate PC3 (IC50 = 17.42 ± 3.57 μg mL−1). Additionally, MNSXQ_SO3 was able to delay the release of Q_SO3 (76 %) compared to the free Q_SO3 (100 %), after 48 h of drug delivery assay, revealing a release profile compatible with the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. These results represent a relevant progress in the production of multifunctional hybrid nanocarriers, providing a versatile nanocomposite with potential for targeted drug delivery and theranostic applications. [Display omitted] •Magnetic nanocomposites are synthesized with chemically sulfated xyloglucan.•Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are entrapment within the nanocomposites.•Hydrophilic quercetin is successfully incorporated into magnetic nanomaterial.•The hybrid nanosystem was able to modify the drug release profile of hydrophilic quercetin.•Development of a promising hybrid nanoproduct able to be applied in theranostic proposals.