Dual acting methotrexate conjugated nanocomposite for MR and CT imaging: Perspectives on therapeutic efficacy and in vivo biodistribution

Abstract

Therapeutic efficacy and in vivo biodistribution of a multifunctional nanocomposite comprising of iron/gold nanohybrid particles coated with oleyl chitosan and conjugated with methotrexate was studied. In vitro studies done using folate receptor negative (3T3 and A549) and folate receptor positive (KB and H460) cell lines revealed the therapeutic effect of nanocomposite on FR (+ve) cell lines. Imaging and biodistribution studies were carried out in vivo using mice model. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging represented the use of nanocomposite as dual modality contrast agents in vivo. Biodistribution studies done in vivo exhibited no significant changes in blood/serum biochemistry and histopathology in nanocomposite injected animals. Hence, it could be conclusively stated that the nanocomposite was biocompatible in vivo and could be used for MR/CT imaging and targeted drug delivery applications.