  Fe3O4@astragalus polysaccharide core-shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4@APS NPs) were
demonstrated to be an efficient therapeutic drug for treating iron deficiency
anemia (IDA) in vivo. The Fe3O4@APS NPs have been synthesized using a two steps
approach involving hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent esterification.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)
spectroscopy studies show that APS are attached on the surfaces of the highly
monodisperse Fe3O4 NPs. Dynamic light scatting (DLS) and magnetic
characterizations reveal that the Fe3O4@APS NPs have outstanding water
solubility and stability. Cytotoxicity assessment using Hela cells and
pathological tests in mice demonstrate their good biocompatibility and low
toxicity. The IDA treatment in rats shows that they have efficient therapeutic
effect, which is contributed to both the iron element supplement from Fe3O4 and
the APS-stimulated hematopoietic cell generation. Moreover, the Fe3O4@APS NPs
are superparamagnetic and thus able to be used for magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI). This study has demonstrated the potential of nanocomposites involving
purified natural products from Chinese herb medicine for biomedical
applications.
