Quantum mechanics

Magnetic field

Nanoparticle

Magnetization

Biomedical engineering

Antimicrobial

Materials science

Biocompatible material

Targeted drug delivery

Drug

Drug delivery

Physics

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Toxicity

Superparamagnetism

Iron oxide nanoparticles

Pharmacology

Medicine

Chemistry

Magnetic nanoparticles

Antibiotics

Medical applications and biotechnological advances, including magnetic resonance imaging, cell separation and detection, tissue repair, magnetic hyperthermia and drug delivery, have strongly benefited from employing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) due to their remarkable properties, such as superparamagnetism, size and possibility of receiving a biocompatible coating. Ongoing research efforts focus on reducing drug concentration, toxicity, and other side effects, while increasing efficacy of IONPs-based treatments. This review highlights the methods of synthesis and presents the most recent reports in the literature regarding advances in drug delivery using IONPs-based systems, as well as their antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms. Furthermore, the toxicity of IONPs alone and constituting nanosystems is also addressed.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: A Perspective on Synthesis, Drugs, Antimicrobial Activity, and Toxicity