Magnetic nanotechnology for diclofenac remediation: molecular basis of drug adsorption and neurobehavioral toxicology as a preliminary study for safe application

Abstract

Diclofenac is a commercial non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonlypresent as a pollutant in naturally occurring water sources andwastewaters. In this work, the adsorption of diclofenac onto chitosancoatedmagnetic nanosystems is proposed as a possible tool for remediation.Experimental and theoretical studies have been carried out toreveal the mechanisms associated with diclofenac interactions among allthe components of the nanosystem. Mechanisms are presented, analyzedand discussed. A toxicological study in mice was carried out toevaluate the parameters associated with neurotoxicity of the nanodevice.The elucidation of the mechanisms implied in the adsorption process ofdiclofenac onto magnetic chitosan nanocomposites suggests that diclofenacremediation from water is possible by adsorption onto chitosan.The strategy innovates the commonly used methodologies for diclofenacremediation from pharmaceutical wastes. This magnetic nanotechnologywould not induce damage on the nervous system in a murine model, incase of traces remaining in water sources.