Simple surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with methotrexate‐conjugated bovine serum albumin as a biocompatible drug delivery vehicle

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with methotrexate (MTX)‐conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a biocompatible drug delivery vehicle were synthesized using a facile method. Characterization of the functionalized MNPs (Fe3O4@BSA‐MTX NPs) was performed using various techniques including UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, vibrating sample magnetometry and X‐ray diffraction. The particle size and zeta potential of Fe3O4@BSA‐MTX NPs were 105.7 ± 3.81 nm (mean ± SD) and −18.2 mV, respectively. MTX release from Fe3O4@BSA‐MTX NPs showed an enzyme‐dependent release pattern. Hemo‐biocompatibility of Fe3O4@BSA‐MTX NPs was confirmed using hemolysis test. In addition, the cytotoxicity of functionalized MNPs and free MTX against MCF‐7 cell line was investigated using MTT assay. The results of experiments revealed that the Fe3O4@BSA‐MTX NPs as a biocompatible carrier could improve the therapeutic effect of MTX.

Recent Advances in the Development of Drug Delivery Applications of Magnetic Nanomaterials

“…Most DDSs investigated in this review present a pH-dependent release behavior, which relies on the lower pH of the tumor microenvironment compared to that of healthy cells or blood [ 122 ]. Other examples of preferential release include the use of substrates that are degraded by enzymes overexpressed at the tumor site [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 ], redox-dependent release based on the higher concentration of glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells compared to healthy ones [ 128 , 129 ], or magnetic-field-mediated release [ 128 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 ].…”

“…Several attempts have been made at encapsulating MTX into magnetic DDSs. Some of these used magnetite NPs functionalized with amino acids such as L -lysine (Fe-Lys) [ 124 ], arginine (Fe-Arg) [ 125 ], glycine (Fe-Gly) [ 126 ], or proteins such as bovine serum albumin (Fe-BSA) [ 127 ] in order to covalently bind MTX. The amino groups of the amino acids/proteins were covalently bound to the carboxyl groups of MTX to form an amide bond.…”

A review: hemocompatibility of magnetic nanoparticles and their regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, drug delivery, and bioimaging applications

“…The enzyme-dependent release pattern of MTX from these particles was observed. These particles’ superior biocompatibility and cytotoxicity made them good biocompatible carriers for MTX ( Azizi et al, 2020 ). Another study established a multidrug delivery system for chemotherapeutic drugs (doxorubicin (DOX) and MTX).…”

Dual-targeting and specific delivery of tamoxifen to cancer cells by modified magnetic nanoparticles using hyaluronic acid and folic acid

“…Nevertheless, the important issues with MNCs are their hydrophobic surface, which leads to a shorter presence in the bloodstream due to opsonization through plasma protein [11] . A proposed method to overcome this disadvantage is coating MNCs' surfaces with different functional groups to reduce the amount of opsonization and subsequently increase the circulation time of the particles in the bloodstream [12] . Hyaluronic acid (HA), a suitable polymeric ligand with components consisting of acetyl glucosamine and glucuronic acid, was applied for modification of MNCs.…”