Methotrexate-Quercetin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles in the treatment of freund’s complete adjuvant induced rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to prepare and characterize the methotrexate- Quercetin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles and to determine their anti-inflammatory effect on induced arthritis rat model. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease defined by inflammation, tissue damage and functional impairment. Methotrexate is most effective choice in rheumatoid arthritis. Quercetin is a flavonoid that is abundant in fruits and vegetables and known for its anti-inflammatory properties. For this study, animals were divided into 5 groups. First group was normal control; second group was kept as arthritic control and was provided with 0.1 ml freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA); third group as standard group and was provided with Methotrexate-Quercetin plane (MTX-QU Plane) (T1); fourth group as test group 1 and provided with Methotrexate- Quercetin loaded solid nanoparticles low doses (MTX-QU SLNs LD) (T2) and fifth group as test group 2 and was provided with Methotrexate-Quercetin loaded solid nanoparticles high doses (MTX-QU SLNs HD) (T3). The physicochemical properties of nanoformulations were carried out by their zeta size, zeta potential and drug loading efficiency. The results of the study showed that Methotrexate- Quercetin loaded solid nanoparticles decreases the arthritis signs and symptoms as compared to the Methotrexate-Quercetin plane drugs.