Synthesis of Methotrexate loaded Cerium fluoride nanoparticles with pH sensitive extended release coupled with Hyaluronic acid receptor with plausible theranostic capabilities for preclinical safety studies

TL;DR

This study reports the synthesis of pH-sensitive, methotrexate-loaded cerium fluoride nanoparticles with hyaluronic acid targeting, exhibiting theranostic capabilities for real-time drug monitoring and preclinical safety evaluation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theranostic nanocarrier combining pH-sensitive drug release, fluorescence, and targeted delivery using hyaluronic acid for potential preclinical applications.

Findings

Nanoparticles exhibit pH-sensitive methotrexate release.

Nanoparticles retain fluorescence for imaging.

Potential for targeted theranostic drug delivery.

Abstract

A key challenge in drug delivery systems is the real time monitoring of delivered drug and subsequent response. Recent advancement in nanotechnology has enabled the design and preclinical implementation of novel drug delivery systems (DDS) with theranostic abilities. Herein, fluorescent cerium fluoride (CeF3) nanoparticles (nps) were synthesized and their surface modified with a coat of polyethylenimine (PEI). Thereafter, Methotrexate was conjugated upon it through glutaraldehyde crosslinking for a pH-sensitive release. This was followed by the addition of a Hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor via 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC-NHS) chemistry to achieve a possible active drug targeting system. The obtained drug delivery nano-agent retains and exhibits unique photo-luminescent properties attributed to the nps while exhibiting potential theranostic capabilities.