Folate-Conjugated Superoxide Dismutase Adsorbed Over Antioxidant Mimicking Nanomatrix Frameworks for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease occurring in larger population, characterized by synovial inflammation followed by destruction of joint. Major concerned factor for cause of RA has been related to oxidative stress due to environmental toxicity and immune imbalance. Reactive oxygen species generated from macrophages communes series of oxidation at cellular and genetic level and leads to generation of inflammatory cytokines for provoking inflammation in RA. Superoxide dismutase and catalase are supposed to be potential antioxidant enzymes to scavange free radicals. However, many clinical studies report reduced potency of enzyme due to lack of its targeting efficacy. Therefore, the aim of the work involves development of nanomatrix mimicking as catalase over which folate-linked superoxide dismutase was adsorbed for a macrophage targeting. The developed formulation was optimized, characterized for morphological studies, enzyme loading efficiency, protein activity, and in vitro drug release. Quantification of interleukin 6 was performed by indirect enzyme linked immunosborent assay over macrophage cell lines to determine in vitro treatment efficacy. It is concluded that the prepared system can act as enzyme reservoir to deliver acid labile enzymes in controlled form to efficiently treat RA.