Fig. (7).

U-87 MG cells were incubated with 5 μg/ml SPIO nanoparticles for 24 h. Cells were subsequently stained with 1 μM LysoSensor™ Green DND-189 (green) and 100 ng/ml Hoechst 33342 (blue) for 30 min, and then observed by the fluorescent microscope. The merged images of phase contrast, LysoSensor green and Hoechst 33342 staining indicate the co-localization of endosomes/lysosomes and SPIO nanoshells. Scale bar = 25 μm. Intracellular delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drugs by hollow structured SPIO facilitated intracellular curcumin delivery and also enhanced cytotoxic effect for doxorubicin (DOX) (reproduced from reference 145 with permission). (The color version of the figure is available in the electronic copy of the article).