Carbon nanoparticle from a natural source fabricated for folate receptor targeting, imaging and drug delivery application in A549 lung cancer cells

• It is a cost effective and time consuming method.
• Maximum drug loading (Mtx, Asp) and release has been achieved.
• The prepared nanoconjugate was found to be haemocompatible and biocompatible.
• About 90% of A549 lung cancer cell line apoptosis was observed with nanoconjugate.
• Imagings of the cells were achieved with the help of FITC.

There is an emerging need for the development of new anticancer nanocomposite which exhibits imaging properties and targeted drug delivery. In the present study, a nanobiocomposite was prepared, in this direction, which contains carbon nanoparticles (CNP), methotrexate (Mtx) and asparaginase (Asp) coupled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The prepared nanobiocomposite kills only the cancer cells due to the presence of Mtx which is a folic acid analogue and targets the cancer cells due to the over expression of folate receptors on their surface and apoptosis occurs due to the anticancer activity of enzyme asparaginase. The results obtained from the present study confirmed the sustained release of Mtx and Asp from the nanobiocomposite. The nanobiocomposite was found to be haemocompatible, biocompatible and showed more than 90% apoptosis. The drug pathway was clearly monitored due to the presence of FITC in the nanobiocomposite. This study proves the effectiveness of the fabricated nanoconjugate, as it helps in imaging, targeting and destructing the cancerous cells. The prepared nanoconjugate may be effectively applied in in vivo experiments before applying on to humans.

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