Methotrexate-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and evaluation of its cytotoxic potential against U-343 MGa human neuronal glioblastoma cells

Nanoparticles represent one of the attractive alternatives in the effective treatment of cancer chemotherapy. In the present work, formulation and development of a novel methotrexate (MTX)-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles using poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was carried out. The prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for physicochemical properties such as particle size, zeta potential, release studies, etc and also evaluated for its in vitro cytotoxic potential against U-343 MGa human neuronal glioblastoma cells. Particle size of optimized formulation was < 200 nm. There was a considerable decrease in cell viability and enhancement in cytotoxic activity of MTX-loaded nanoparticles compared to MTX alone when tested against U-343 MGa human neuronal glioblastoma cells.