Fig. 3

Hemolysis assay on SPION@MSNs and PEG-Au-NPs@DOX nanocarriers. Comparison of hemolytic activity in red blood cells (RBCs) following A 12 and C 24 h incubation with various concentrations (12.5–200 μg/ml) of SPION@MSNs and PEG-Au-NPs@DOX at 37 °C. Data are expressed as mean ± SD, n = 3, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001. Images of RBCs treated with mentioned concentration at B 12 h and D 24 h. Positive control (distilled water, C⁺), negative control (PBS, C⁻), and nanocarrier suspensions (200, 100, 50, 25 and 12.5, μg/ml) are indicated. SPION Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle, MSN Mesoporous silica nanoparticle, PEG Polyethylene glycol, NP nanoparticle, Apt Aptamer, DOX Doxorubicin