In vitro studies of titanium dioxide nanoparticles modified with glutathione as a potential drug delivery system

Abstract Nowadays, the development of medicine is inextricably linked with the use of new products, often with unique features. Nanotechnology deals with the creation of materials with specific properties in order to meet the requirements. This paper addresses issues related to the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers, with a particular focus on titanium dioxide nanoparticles. To reduce the release of harmful titanium ions from the carrier surface, the materials were modified. In the first stage of research work, TiO 2 nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel method. Their surface was coated with an organic substance, i.e. glutathione. The properties of the obtained materials were then investigated, including particle size, specific surface area and microscopic morphology. In the next stage of the study, the amount of titanium ions released from the modified carriers was determined. For this purpose, leaching of nanoparticle samples in deionized water environment was performed. Another stage included the assessment of an active substance releasing froth the prepared materials loaded with tadalafil. In vitro studies were also performed. Cytotoxic and mutagenic properties of the obtained materials in relation to CHO cells were investigated. The results obtained confirmed a decrease in the amount of titanium ions released in comparison to the reference material in which no modifier was used. In addition, the obtained materials show satisfactory purity and surface morphology allowing the formation of carrier-drug interfaces. The results of in vitro studies let us to claim that the prepared modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles have a great potential for being applied as drug carrier.