Investigating the drug loaded magnetic nanocomposite spheres for collagen induced arthritis murine model

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints that progresses and destroys its architecture. If left untreated this disease can spread to organs in the body and loss of movement due to joint damage can result in a substantially reduced quality of life. Treatment serves to alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of this disease but can cause a range of side effects. In this thesis a tested magnetic nanocomposite carrier is coupled with methotrexate, a proven therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis and used as a targeted drug delivery system to treat experimental rheumatoid arthritis. A magnet was used as a targeting mechanism to draw drug carriers to afflicted joints of collagen-induced arthritis in the murine model. Results show that use of the magnet yielded statistical improvement compared to treatment without a targeting mechanism. Overall paw scores and paw thicknesses showed lower measurements in mice treated with use of magnet than mice treated without. The data showed a noticeable difference that can be stated with a 95% confidence interval that use of targeted delivery systems prove effective.