Development of mitochondrial targeted theranostic nanocarriers for treatment of gliomas

Theranostic nanoparticles were developed using synthesized Gadolinium doped iron oxide nanoplatforms by polyol process. Lenalidomide was coated on the magnetic core using PLGA by nanoprecipitation technique. Modification of Polyethylenimine was done with targeting moieties to provide targeting against gliomas. The cell line studies were performed on U87MG glioblastoma cell lines. Toxicity evaluation was done by mucosal toxicity study and hemolysis test. The magnetic core had ultra-small particle size of <10 nm and were paramagnetic with in vitro hyperthermia ability. The theranostic nanoparticles had high entrapment efficiency of 97.82 +/- 0.425% and low particle size of 122.26 +/- 2.17 nm. Cell line studies revealed the anti-cancer activity of formulation with localization in mitochondria. Toxicity studies on nasal mucosa and hemolysis test proved that the formulation was non-toxic as compared to positive control. Biodistribution studies on Wistar rats revealed the potential of the theranostic nanoparticles in brain targeting by intranasal route.