Title:Transdermal Delivery of Methotrexate Loaded in Chitosan Nanoparticles
to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Volume: 21
Issue: 3
Author(s): Nusaiba Al-Nemrawi*, Yazan Wahsheh and Karem H. Alzoubi
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis, chitosan, methotrexate, proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, NSAIDs.
Abstract:
Introduction: Methotrexate shows high efficiency in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis,
but its adverse effects cannot be tolerated by many patients. Additionally, Methotrexate suffers from
rapid clearance from blood. Polymeric nanoparticles were used to solve these problems including chitosan.
Methods: Herein, a new nanoparticulate system to deliver Methotrexate (MTX) using chitosan nanoparticles
(CS NPs) was developed to be used transdermally. CS NPs were prepared and characterized. The
drug release was studied in vitro and ex vivo using rat skin. The drug performance in vivo was investigated
on rats. Formulations were applied topically once a day on the paws and knee joints of arthritis
rats for 6 weeks. Paw thickness was measured and synovial fluid samples were collected.
Results: The results showed that CS NPs were monodispersed, and spherical with a size of 279.9 nm
and a charge above ± 30mV. Further, 88.02% of MTX was entrapped in the NPs. CS NPs prolonged
MTX release and enhanced its permeation (apparent permeability ⁓35.00cm/h) and retention (retention
capacity ⁓12.01%) through rats’ skin. The transdermal delivery of MTX-CS NPs improves the progress
of the disease compared to free MTX, as reflected by the lower arthritic index values, lower proinflammatory
cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), and higher anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the synovial
fluid. Further, the oxidative stress activities were significantly higher in the group treated with the
MTX-CS NPs, as indicated by GSH. Finally, MTX-CS NPs were more effective in reducing lipid peroxidation
in synovial fluid.
Conclusion: In conclusion, loading Methotrexate in chitosan nanoparticles controlled its release and
enhance its effectiveness against rheumatoid when applied dermally.