Evaluation of Anti-Arthritic Property of Methotrexate Conjugated Gold Nanoparticle on Experimental Animal Models

Abstract

Nanomaterials provide an excellent platform for biomedical applications. Nanoparticles conjugated drug molecules are of major interest because of their efficient drug delivery and for better therapeutic efficacy. In the present study we have developed a nanoparticle-drug system, methotrexate conjugated to Gold nanoparticles (MTX-GNP), which has shown better anti-arthritic potential than methotreaxate alone in treating arthritis in experimental animal models. MTX-GNP was prepared by adsorpion method and the particles formed were of 20–30 nm. We have then evaluated the anti-arthritic property of MTX-GNP by studying the urinary and serum parameters such as hydoxyproline, glucosamine, pyridoline (PYD), deoxypyridoline (DPYD) and serum cytokines. It has been revealed that MTX-GNP showed significant anti-arthritic potential observed through the urinary and serum parameters than methotrexate alone. Therefore, it may be concluded that MTX-GNP may have better therapeutic advantage than MTX alone in treating arthritis. Further detailed study is warranted on MTX-GNP.