Synthesis, characterisation and evaluation of poly[lactose acrylate-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone] hydrogels for drug delivery

New biodegradable polymeric hydrogels based on biocompatible materials, lactose acrylate (LA) and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone were designed and synthesized. LA was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Hydrogel synthesis was carried out by free-radical polymerization of the co-monomers using azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator and N,N^′-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker. These hydrogels were also characterized. Equilibrium swelling of the hydrogels was studied in phosphate buffer of physiological pH, 7.4 and at 37 °C. Propranolol hydrochloride was entrapped into these hydrogels and the in vitro release profile of this drug was established in phosphate buffer. The drug release followed a near zero-order fashion in the first 6 h and thereafter slowed down releasing more than 90% of the entrapped drug at the end of 48 h.     

Self-aggregated nanoparticles of cholesterol-modified glycol chitosan conjugate: Preparation, characterization, and preliminary assessment as a new drug delivery carrier

Cholesterol-modified glycol chitosan (CHGC) conjugate was synthesized and characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The degree of substitution (DS) was 6.7 cholesterol groups per 100 sugar residues of glycol chitosan. CHGC formed self-aggregated nanoparticles with a roughly spherical shape and a mean diameter of 228 nm by probe sonication in aqueous medium. The physicochemical properties of the self-aggregated nanoparticles were studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of self-aggregated nanoparticles in aqueous solution was 0.1223 mg/mL. Indomethacin (IND), as a model drug, was physically entrapped into the CHGC nanoparticles by dialysis method. The characteristics of IND-loaded CHGC (IND-CHGC) nanoparticles was analyzed using DLS, TEM and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The IND-CHGC nanoparticles were almost spherical in shape and their size increased from 275 to 384 nm with the IND-loading content increasing from 7.14% to 16.2%. The in vitro release behavior of IND from CHGC nanoparticles was studied by a dialysis method in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4). IND was released in a biphasic way. The initial rapid release in 2 h and slower release for up to 12 h were observed. The results indicated that CHGC nanoparticles had a potential as a drug delivery carrier.     

Self-aggregated nanoparticles of cholesterol-modified chitosan conjugate as a novel carrier of epirubicin

Cholesterol-modified chitosan conjugate with succinyl linkages (CHCS) was synthesized and characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The degree of substitution (DS) of cholesterol moiety determined by elemental analysis was 7.3%. The self-aggregation behavior of CHCS was evaluated by the fluorescence probe technique and the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) was 1.16 × 10⁻² mg mL⁻¹ in 0.1 M acetic acid solution. CHCS formed monodisperse self-aggregated nanoparticles with a roughly spherical shape and a mean diameter of 417.2 nm by probe sonication in aqueous media. Epirubicin (EPB), as a model anticancer drug, was physically entrapped inside CHCS self-aggregated nanoparticles by the remote loading method and the characteristics of EPB-loaded CHCS self-aggregated nanoparticles were analyzed using dynamic laser light scattering (DLLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy. EPB-loaded CHCS self-aggregated nanoparticles were almost spherical in shape and their size increased from 338.2 to 472.9 nm with the EPB-loading content increasing from 7.97% to 14.0%. The release behavior of EPB from CHCS self-aggregated nanoparticles was studied in vitro by dialysis method. The results showed that EPB release rate decreased with the pH increase of the release media. In phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4), the EPB release was very slow and the total release amount was about 24.9% in 48 h.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline calcium phosphate in microemulsion--effect of nature of surfactants

Nanosized calcium phosphate (CP) powders have been synthesized by an inverse microemulsion system using kerosene as the oil phase, a cationic surfactant Aliquat 336, a non-ionic surfactant Tween 20 and their mixture and aqueous solutions of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and biammonium hydrogen phosphate as the water phase. It has been found that the nature of surfactants played an important role to regulate the size and morphologies of the calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The cationic surfactant Aliquat 336 has been found to regulate the nucleation and crystal growth. The synthesized powders have been comprehensively characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Our results show that the brushite (DCPD) is the major phase comprising the calcium phosphate nanoparticles. In mixed surfactants mediated system a morphological controlled highly crystalline particles have been synthesized. Further, the role of Aliquat 336 has been established and a plausible synthetic mechanism has been proposed.     

Self-aggregated nanoparticles from methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-modified chitosan: synthesis; characterization; aggregation and methotrexate release in vitro

Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted-chitosan (mPEG-g-CS) conjugates were synthesized by formaldehyde linking method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). The degree of substitution (DS) of methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) (mPEG) in the mPEG-g-CS molecules determined by ¹H-NMR ranged from 19% to 42%. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy using pyrene as fluorescence probe and its value was 0.07 mg/mL in water. mPEG-g-CS formed monodisperse self-aggregated nanoparticles with a roughly spherical shape and a mean diameter of 261.9 nm were prepared by the dialysis method. mPEG-g-CS self-aggregated nanoparticles were used as carriers of poorly water-soluble anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX). MTX was physically entrapped inside mPEG-g-CS self-aggregated nanoparticles by dialysis method and the characteristics of MTX-loaded mPEG-g-CS self-aggregated nanoparticles were analyzed using dynamic laser light scattering (DLLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, in vitro release behavior of MTX was also investigated and the results showed that MTX was continuously released more than 50% in 48 h.     

Rheological and thermal studies of polystyrene calcium phosphate nanocomposites

Polystyrene‐calcium phosphate nanocomposites were prepared in an internal mixer by the melt mixing technique with as synthesized calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The composites were characterized by different techniques. Rheological aspects of the composites revealed the ease of processability and viscosity characteristics of the composites. Thermogravimetric analysis of the composites showed that the thermal stability of the composites improved by the incorporation of the nanofillers especially for the 3% and 5% filled systems. Flammability tests were carried out with a microcalorimeter, and it was found that the heat release rate decreased with respect to the filler loading.     

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite: micelle templated synthesis and characterization

Nanocrystalline calcium phosphate based inorganic, hydroxyapatite (HAp), was synthesized using the dodecyl phosphate micelle system. The surfactant concentration during synthesis played an important role on the final properties of these HAp nanoparticles. A surfactant concentration close to the critical micelle concentration produced the nanoparticles with the highest surface area, with porous less agglomerated morphology. Compacts made of these nanopowders showed between 97 and 98% theoretical density of phase-pure HAp and promoted cell-material interaction when cytotoxicity tests were performed.     

羟基磷灰石-SOD纳米复合物的合成与性能

以乙酸钙和磷酸二氢铵为原料,采用原位合成法一步合成羟基磷灰石(HAP)-超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)纳米复合物(HAP-SOP),采用傅里叶变换红外光谱、X射线衍射和扫描电镜对复合物进行了表征,并考察了SOD的活性,还对各复合物的体外释放行为进行了研究.结果表明,合成的HAP-SOD纳米复合物粒径均匀,粒径在100nm以下,包裹后的SOD活性可达84.7%,且缓释作用明显,24h累计释放率为81.2%.     

Preparation, characterization of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug in combine loaded chitosan/cyclodextrin nanoparticles and in vitro release study

The compound nanoparticles of chitosan (CS) and cyclodextrin (CD) loading with hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug simultaneously were prepared via the cross-linking method. Methotrexate (MTX) and calcium folinate (CaF) were selected as the model drugs. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy to confirm the cross-linking reaction between CS and cross-linking agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to reveal the form of the drug after encapsulation. The average size of nanoparticles ranged from 308.4 ± 15.22 to 369.3 ± 30.01 nm. The nanoparticles formed were spherical in shape with high zeta potentials (higher than +30mV). In vitro release studies in phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) showed an initial burst effect and followed by a slow drug release. Cumulative release data were fitted to an empirical equation to compute diffusional exponent (n), which indicated the non-Fickian trend for drug release.     

Calcium phosphate particles containing superoxide dismutase are a promising agent for the treatment of eye diseases accompanied by oxidative stress

A method for the preparation of calcium phosphate particles is optimized. Particles with entrapped superoxide dismutase are obtained. The size, surface charge, and stability of the calcium phosphate particles are determined under different conditions. The kinetics of the enzyme release from the particles and the influence of the drug release on the size and surface charge of the particles are investigated. On the rabbit model of immunogenic uveitis (the model of an inflammatory process in the eye accompanied by oxidative stress), it is shown that superoxide dismutase enclosed in calcium phosphate particles has a higher antiinflammatory effect than superoxide dismutase in an aqueous solution.     

肝靶向甘草次酸修饰的壳聚糖纳米粒子的合成和表征

合成了修饰甘草次酸的壳聚糖(GA-CTS), 采用离子交联法制备了GA-CTS纳米粒子. 该材料可能具有肝细胞主动靶向作用, 为进一步的肝靶向药物控释的研究奠定了基础.     

Instantaneous drug delivery of magnetic/thermally sensitive nanospheres by a high-frequency magnetic field

Novel dual-functional nanospheres composed of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles embedded in a thermo-sensitive Pluronic F127 (F127) matrix were successfully synthesized by an in situ coprecipitation process. The nanospheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Experimental observations indicated that the F127 was subjected to a rapid structural change when the magnetic phase caused rapid heating after a short exposure to a high-frequency magnetic field. During the field duration, considerable volume shrinkage of the nanospheres (2.3-fold diameter reduction) was detected. This has been translated to an instantaneous release of a drug, Doxorubicin (DOX), when the DOX was encapsulated within the nanospheres. Such a rapidly responsive release of the DOX from the nanospheres was due to an intimate contact between the nanomagnet and F127, where an effective thermal and mechanical transfer between core and shell phases efficiently took place in the presence of the magnetic field.     

P(VPBA-DMAEA) as a pH-sensitive nanovalve for mesoporous silica nanoparticles based controlled release

A pH-sensitive controlled release system was proposed in this work, which consists of mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs) functionalized on the pore outlets with poly(4-vinylphenybronic acid-co-2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate) [P(VPBA-DMAEA)]. Four kinds of P(VPBA-DMAEA)-gated MSNs were synthesized and applied for the p H-sensitive controlled release. The results showed that P(VPBADMAEA) can work as a p H-sensitive nanovalve. The release behavior of the hybrid nanoparticles could be adjusted by changing the mole ratio of VPBA and DMAEA. With the increasing of the mole ratio of VPBA,the leakage of the entrapped molecules in the pores of MSNs could be decreased at neutral and alkaline conditions. By altering the p H of buffer from 4.0 to 8.0, the valve could be switched ‘‘on' and ‘‘off'reversibly. In addition, cells viability results indicated that these P(VPBA-DMAEA)-gated MSNs had good biocompatibility. We believe that these MSNs based p H-sensitive controlled release system will provide a promising nanodevice for sited release of drug delivery.     

Synthesis and monolayer characterization of phosphorylated amino acid analogs

The synthesis of a series of thiols containing phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated serine, threonine, and tyrosine amino acid residues is described. The synthesized molecules, based on 3-mercaptopropionic acid, were assembled onto gold and subsequently characterized using infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle goniometry. The ellipsometric analysis indicates that they form densely packed and well-oriented monolayers on gold, with thicknesses that are in good agreement with estimated values from space-filling models. The bulky and space-demanding phosphorylated threonine analog was, however, found to be an exception. The increase in layer thickness when adding a phosphate group to the threonine is only 35% of that observed for the two other analogs. A detailed infrared examination of the influence of cation coordination to the phosphorylated serine analog using calcium and magnesium reveals structural similarities to those of the inorganic phosphate compound calcium hydroxy apatite. We furthermore discuss the application of these monolayers as soft templates for biomineralization.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly[N-Vinyl-2-Pyrrolidone-Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate] Copolymeric Hydrogels for Drug Delivery

Abstract

Novel polymeric biodegradable and biocompatible copolymeric hydrogels based on N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PAC) were designed and synthesized. PAC macromonomer was synthesized by a modified procedure and characterized. Poly[N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-polyethylene glycol diacrylate] (Poly[NVP-PAC]) hydrogels were synthesized by varying the concentration of PAC. Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was used as the free radical initiator and N,N¹-methylene bis(acryl-amide) (BIS) was employed as the crosslinking agent. These hydrogels were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirms the formation of copolymer. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves obtained were continuous indicating the formation of copolymer. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of the copolymer was measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The equilibrium swelling measurements were carried out in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF & SIF). These swelling studies indicated that these gels had a higher sorption capacity in SIF when compared to that in SGF. 5-Fuorouracil (5-FU), an anti-cancer drug was entrapped in these hydrogels and the in-vitro release profiles were established in a sequential manner in SGF and SIF. About 50–56% of the drug entrapped was released in a period of 10 days.     

空心纳米磷酸钙载药体系的制备与表征

非离子表面活性剂Tween 80和PEG 6000在水溶液中以一定的比例混合可形成稳定的类磷脂囊泡结构,这些囊泡可以作为模板来合成磷酸钙纳米空球颗粒。所制备的磷酸钙材料的结构和形貌通过TEM,SEM,FTIR,XRD进行了表征,是尺寸为100～150 nm左右的无定形磷酸钙空心颗粒。磷酸钙具有良好的生物相容性,因此这些具有空心结构特征的磷酸钙可发展为理想的载药体系。我们以牛血清蛋白(BSA)为模型体系研究了材料的载药和释放性能,发现所获得的空心纳米磷酸钙不仅具有良好的蛋白质负载量而且还具有优异的可释放性,明显优于传统的羟基磷灰石体系。     

Calcium Phosphate‐Reinforced Photosensitizer‐Loaded Polymer Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Therapy

Calcium phosphate‐reinforced photosensitizer‐loaded polymer nanoparticles have been developed for photodynamic therapy. Chlorin e6 (Ce6)‐loaded core–shell–corona polymer micelles of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(L ‐aspartic acid)‐b‐poly(L ‐phenylalanine) ( PEG-PAsp-PPhe ) were employed as template nanoparticles for mineralization with calcium phosphate (CaP). CaP deposition was performed by the electrostatic localization of calcium ions at the anionic PAsp middle shells and the subsequent addition of phosphate anions. CaP‐reinforced nanoparticles exhibited enhanced stability. The CaP mineral layer effectively inhibited Ce6 release from the Ce6‐loaded mineralized nanoparticles (Ce6‐NP‐CaP) at physiological pH value. At an acidic endosomal pH value of 5.0, Ce6 release was enhanced, owing to rapid dissolution of the CaP minerals. Upon irradiation of Ce6‐NP‐CaP‐treated MCF‐7 breast‐tumor cells, the cell viability dramatically decreased with increasing irradiation time. The phototoxicity of Ce6‐NP‐CaP was much higher than that of free Ce6. Non‐invasive optical‐imaging results indicated that Ce6‐NP‐CaP exhibited enhanced tumor specificity compared with free Ce6 and Ce6‐loaded non‐mineralized polymer nanoparticles (Ce6‐NP).     

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity studies of chitosan-coated tea polyphenols nanoparticles

Chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation method using carboxymethyl chitosan and chitosan hydrochloride as carriers of tea polyphenols. The characteristics of chitosan-coated tea polyphenols nanoparticles (CS-TP NPs) were determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. It was found that the synthesized CS-TP NPs were non-spherical in shape with an average size of 407±50nm. Meanwhile, the drug content and encapsulation rate of the nanoparticles was 8-16% and 44-83%, respectively. These CS-TP NPs also demonstrated sustained release of tea polyphenols in PBS. The antitumor of CS-TP NPs towards HepG2 cancer cells was investigated. The result showed that CS-TP NPs retained significant antitumor activities.     

Characterization of a Multi-responsive Magnetic Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Hydrogel and Its Application for DOX Delivery

Nanocomposite hydrogels are one of the most important types of biomaterials which can be used in many different applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering.Incorporation of nanoparticles within a hydrogel matrix can provide unique characteristics like remote stimulate and improved mechanical strength.In this study,the synthesis of graphene oxide and graphene oxide nanocomposite hydrogel has been studied.Nanocomposite hydrogel was synthesized using carboxymethyl cellulose as a natural base,acrylic acid as a comonomer,graphene oxide as a filler,ammonium persulfate as an initiator,and iron nanoparticles as a crosslinking agent.The effect of reaction variables such as the iron nanoparticles,graphene oxide,ammonium persulfate,and acrylic acid were examined to achieve a hydrogel with maximum absorbency.Doxorubicin,an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug,was loaded into this hydrogel and its release behaviors were examined in the phosphate buffer solutions with different pH values.The structure of the graphene oxide and the optimized hydrogel were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy,Raman spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and atomic force microscopy.     

Synthesis and Characterization of pH‐Sensitive Positive‐charge Silica Nanoparticles for Oral Anionic Drug Delivery

The objective of this study is to utilize the pH sensitivity of modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) for oral drug delivery. In the first time, a pH‐sensitive ionic liquid was synthesized through the quaternization of 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (3‐ATMS) with sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA). Then, silica nanoparticle was modified by this pH‐sensitive ionic liquid and converted to a pH‐sensitive positive‐charge silica nanoparticle (PCSN). The nanoparticle was characterized by FTIR and SEM. Naproxen as anionic drug molecules was entrapped in this pH‐sensitive positive‐charge silica nanoparticles (PCSN) and the in vitro release profiles were established separately in both (SGF, pH 1) and (SIF, pH 7.4).