Simple surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with methotrexate‐conjugated bovine serum albumin as a biocompatible drug delivery vehicle
Sedigheh Azizi, Hamed Nosrati, Hossein Danafar
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 (Fe 3 O 4 @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 Fe 3 O 4 @BSA‐MTX NPs were 105.7 ± 3.81 nm (mean ± SD) and −18.2 mV, respectively. MTX release from Fe 3 O 4 @BSA‐MTX NPs showed an enzyme‐dependent release pattern. Hemo‐biocompatibility of Fe 3 O 4 @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 Fe 3 O 4 @BSA‐MTX NPs as a biocompatible carrier could improve the therapeutic effect of MTX.