Preparation and in vitro evaluation of Methotrexate-loaded magnetic nanoparticles modified with biocompatible copolymers.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are attractive materials that have been widely used in medicine for drug delivery, diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications. In our study, SPION and the anticancer drug, Methotrexate, were encapsulated into polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol (PCL-PEG) nanoparticles for local treatment. The magnetic properties conferred by SPION could help to maintain the nanoparticles in the joint with an external magnet. The drug encapsulation efficiency achieved for Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with PCL-PEG copolymer was 92.36%. There is potential for use of these nanoparticles for biomedical application.