Nanocarriers mediated delivery of methotrexate is instrumental in treating auto-immune diseases and cancer

Methotrexate (MTX) is used extensively in cancer chemotherapy and for the management of various autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The well reported mechanism of action of MTX is to obstruct the dihydrofolatereductase (DHFR) which inhibits the duplication of purines. MTX suppresses the inflammation and modulates the host's immune system during the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. However, MTX has unpredictable absorption features and displays various adverse effects. In past couple of decades, nano-bioengineered systems have been expansively harnessed to develop countless nanometric systems to expedite the delivery of biomedical agents to their site of action. These functional nanostructured systems have proven their efficacy while managing various dreadful disorders. This review provides an insight of recent advancements in the development of various MTX loaded nanostructured carriers utilized so far for management of cancer and other autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid arthritis and Psoriasis. Efforts also have been made to illustrate the potential of nanotechnology-based systems to deliver MTX effectively to targeted site.