Assessment of pH Responsive Delivery of Methotrexate Based on PHEMA-st-PEG-DA Nanohydrogels

Nanohydrogels (NHs) are novel and attractive carriers for various anticancer factors delivery. The objective of present study is development of a safe NH for pH responsive delivery of methotrexate (MTX). Herein, poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) is utilized as the main structure, which is cross-linked with poly(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) through reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization technique. After synthesis, the developed structure is characterized using different methods, including H-1 NMR, FT-IR, size exclusion chromatography, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The results confirm successful synthesis of the NH with acceptable yield and nano scale mean size of 194 nm. Methotrexate is conjugated with the aforementioned structure through pH responsive esteric bond. The efficiency of the prepared NH in loading and release of the anticancer drug, methotrexate, is tested. The developed NH shows great potential in methotrexate loading, as well as a faster release rate of methotrexate in acidic pH. The results of in vitro toxicity assessment on MCF-7 as a breast cancer cell line reveal an improved cytotoxicity induction by the methotrexate loaded particles when compared with the free MTX molecules. The suitable size (<200 nm), great potential in loading and release of the methotrexate and cytotoxicity induction in cancer cells are the reliable features of NH as an ideal anti-cancer vehicle.

Automated summary

Nanohydrogels (NHs) have been developed as promising carriers for anticancer drug delivery, with the synthesized NH demonstrating efficient loading and release of methotrexate through pH-responsive mechanisms, as well as improved cytotoxicity induction in cancer cells compared to free drug molecules. Key features of NH as an ideal anti-cancer vehicle include appropriate size (<200 nm), great potential in drug loading and release, and enhanced cytotoxic effects against cancer cells.