Preparation and acute toxicology of nano-magnetic ferrofluid.

The nano-magnetic ferrofluid was prepared by chemical coprecipitation and its acute toxicology was investigated. The effective diameter (Eff. Diam. ) of the magnetic particles was about 19.9 nm, and the concentration of the ferrofluid was 17. 54 mg/ml. The acute toxic reaction and the main viscera pathological morphology of mice were evaluated after oral, intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of the nano-magnetic ferrofluid of different doses respectively. Half lethal dose (LD50) > 2104. 8 mg/kg,maximum non-effect dose (ED0) = 320. 10mg/kg with oral; LDs,> 438. 50 mg/kg, EDo = 160. 05 mg/kg with intravenous route; and LDso >1578. 6 mg/kg, ED0 = 320. 10 mg/kg with intraperitoneal administration. Degeneration and necrosis of viscera were not found. So the nano-magnetic ferrofluid, of which toxicity is very low, may be used as a drug carrier.