Methotrexate Loaded Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Targeted Drug Delivery Device

Targeted drug delivery systems have been shown to be promising alternative for the conventional drug delivery methods. Among numerous nanocarriers developed for therapeutic applications, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention. Fe3O4 (magnetite) is one of the most commonly used iron oxide in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and can be easily produced in research and industrial laboratories. The core/shell structure of magnetic nanoparticles allows the surface coating to avoid their agglomeration. Moreover, coating of Fe3O4 nanoparticles provide functional groups and consequently make the bioconjugation to the therapeutic agents. Coating magnetic nanoparticles with a biopolymer will also increase biocompatibility. Coating magnetic nanoparticles with a biopolymer will also increase biocompatibility. Chitosan can easily conjugate to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles and provide amine and hydroxyl groups for the further conjugation of the therapeutic drug. In this study, Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were fabricated and were coated with chitosan via in-situ method. Prepared chitosan coated magnetic nanoparticles then were loaded with methotrexate (anti-cancer drug) through adsorption. The size and morphology of synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were evaluated using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The chemical structure of bare and chitosan coated magnetic nanoparticles was analyzed by Fourier Transforms Infrared (FTIR). Methotrexate loading efficiency of chitosan coated nanoparticles was also evaluated. Cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was also studied in-vitro. The results confirmed the surface coating with chitosan and methotrexate loading. The synthesize chitosan coated magnetic nanoparticles showed promising application for cancer treatment.