SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CDS QUANTUM DOTS COATED WITH METHOTREXATE FOR TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY AGAINST CANCER TREATMENT
Main Article Content
Keywords
MTX, CdS QDs, UV–Vis, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, MTT Assay, immunohistochemistry, MCF-7 cells
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of health-related issues, contributing significantly to the high mortality rate. Methotrexate (MTX), a potent anticancer drug derived from folic acid, is widely used to treat various cancers. However, its application is often limited by the ability of cancer cells to develop resistance. By conjugating MTX with quantum dots (QDs) to form nanoconjugates (NCs), the drug can be more effectively taken up by cells through folate receptor (FR)-mediated endocytosis minimizing off-target effects enabling precise anticancer drug delivery to tumor sites. In the current study, we synthesized MTX-conjugated cysteine-capped CdS QDs (MTX-QD Nanocomposites) and evaluated their cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells. CdS QDs were prepared through a chemical wet method under high temperature and pressure, followed by conjugation with MTX using a glutaraldehyde method. The synthesis of QDs were confirmed by light microscopy emitted yellowish green fluorescence. The characterization of CdS QDs and their conjugation with cysteine, folic acid, and MTX was confirmed by UV–Vis spectra at 520-530 nm. The MTX-QD Nanocomposites were characterized by FT-IR, SEM and XRD. Based on FT-IR spectra, the functional groups associated with MTX-QD Nanocomposites were determined. SEM analysis revealed that the general surface of MTX-CdS QDs was in tightly packed confirmation and free from agglomeration. XRD spectra showed diffraction peaks at 2θ values 32.92o, 47.19o, 55.89o, 58.71o, and 68.45o in pattern. The binding efficiency of folic acid-conjugated MTX-CdS QD nanocomposites to folate receptors in cancer tissues was confirm through immunohistochemistry. Anticancer activity was assessed through MTT Assay. The MTT assay demonstrated that these Nanocomposites significantly reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. ELISA microplate reader analysis confirmed that cell viability decreased to 21.87% at a 500 ng/mL concentration of MTX-QD Nanocomposites, indicating a high rate of cell death. The viability of MCF-7 cells exposed to MTX-CdS QD nanocomposites using the MTT cell viability assay compared to the control. Results indicate that increasing concentrations of MTX-CdS QDs lead to a significant decrease in cell viability.
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Amber Mubeen
Department of Biotechnology, University of Okara, Okara
Asma Irshad
School of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Ansar Zubair
Department of Zoology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
Tahira Batool
Allied health sciences, Superior University, Lahore, Pakistan
Faqeeha javed
Riphah International University, Gulberg campus, Lahore