Passive targeting effect of Dy-doped LDH nanoparticles hybridized with folic acid and gallic acid on HEK293 human kidney cells and HT29 human cells

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles synthesized with Mg2+, Al3+, and Dy3+ cations were intercalated with folate ions; this ion increased the interlayer space and allowed passive targeting. This expanded structure retains additional gallate ions in the layers. The folate/gallate-containing compound (Mg/Al/Dy-FG) showed a crystalline structure typical of LDH as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses. The toxicity of the Mg/Al/Dy-FG compound against HT29 cells leads to a cell viability between 20 and 40% with doses from 12.5 to 50 μg/mL in a period between 24 and 72 h. Such viability is close to that produced by gallic acid itself. Furthermore, when the treatment is conducted on healthy cells, Hek293, at the same doses and exposure times, the toxicity effect is significantly reduced since viability remains above 80%; therefore, the administration of gallate through the folate-intercalated LDH nanoparticles reduces the viability of cancer cells while avoiding the damage to healthy cells. Then these nanoscale particles could be promising in the treatment of cancer.