Design and development of thiolated graphene oxide nanosheets for brain tumor targeting

Abstract

The present investigation emphasizes on synthesis and characterization of thiol functionalized reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) as a novel platform for loading of anticancer drug methotrexate (TrGO-MTX), through amide bonding. Thiolation of graphene oxide (GO) was achieved by transesterification process. The introduction of sulfur containing chemical groups and the partial reduction of GO to TrGO were proven by analytical techniques. Thiol content was found to be 6.98 mM by Ellman’s method in a quantitative manner. Furthermore, antineoplastic action of TrGO-MTX against human glioblastoma astrocytom U-373 MG cell line was studied, wherein TrGO-MTX demonstrated significant inhibition rate as compared with pure MTX.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Brain tumors
• graphene oxide
• methotrexate
• mucoadhesion
• mucociliary clearance
• thiolation

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to Management and Principal, SES, H. R. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, Dist- Dhule (M.S.) India for providing necessary facilities to carry out the project effectively. Authors are also thankful to UGC Consortium, Indore, India for availing facilities such as TEM, Raman, etc. for synthesized components and fabricated TrGO-MTX.