Dually Responsive Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) Polymersomes for Controlled Delivery

Limited tissue selectivity and targeting of anticancer therapeutics in systemic administration can produce harmful side effects in the body. Various polymer nano-vehicles have been developed to encapsulate therapeutics and prevent premature drug release. Dually responsive polymeric vesicles (polymersomes) assembled from temperature-/pH-sensitive block copolymers are particularly interesting for the delivery of encapsulated therapeutics to targeted tumors and inflamed tissues. We have previously demonstrated that temperature-responsive poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-b-PVCL polymersomes exhibit high loading efficiency of anticancer therapeutics in physiological conditions. However, the in-vivo toxicity of these polymersomes as biocompatible materials has not yet been explored. Nevertheless, developing an advanced therapeutic nanocarrier must provide the knowledge of possible risks from the material’s toxicity to support its future clinical research in humans. Herein, we studied pH-induced degradation of PVCL₁₀-b-PDMS₆₅-b-PVCL₁₀ vesicles in-situ and their dually (pH- and temperature-) responsive release of the anticancer drug, doxorubicin, using NMR, DLS, TEM, and absorbance spectroscopy. The toxic potential of the polymersomes was evaluated in-vivo by intravenous injection (40 mg kg⁻¹ single dose) of PVCL₁₀-PDMS₆₅-PVCL₁₀ vesicles to mice. The sub-acute toxicity study (14 days) included gravimetric, histological, and hematological analyses and provided evidence for good biocompatibility and non-toxicity of the biomaterial. These results show the potential of these vesicles to be used in clinical research.     

可降解光交联聚酸酐与聚酰胺-甲基丙烯酰胺凝胶的合成及药物控释

合成聚酰胺-胺型树状分子（PAMAM）并进行端基甲基丙烯酰基修饰,将最外层接枝光化学活性双键,修饰产物与甲基丙烯酸酐化癸二酸(MSA)用DMSO溶解并在光引发剂存在下,经过紫外光照射得到具有一定生物相容性的凝胶。运用1H NMR和FT-IR对聚酰胺-甲基丙烯酰胺的结构进行表征。凝胶的降解实验表明,聚酸酐含量为50-60wt%的凝胶以表面溶蚀的方式降解,随着甲基丙烯酸酐化癸二酸（MSA）在凝胶中含量不同,降解时间在45~60天之间,pH在6.5-8.06范围内改变。包埋氧氟沙星凝胶的降解实验表明,可以通过改变聚酸酐的含量控制降解时间和药物释放量。     

聚N,N-二乙基丙烯酰胺温敏水凝胶的药物释放研究

在合成聚Ｎ,Ｎ－二乙基丙烯酰胺温敏水凝胶的基础上研究了该水凝胶在ＬＣＳＴ附近对药物的释放（以氟哌酸为主）。温度与交联度的变化对药物的释放皆有明显的影响。通过对释放曲线进行计算机模拟得到释放液浓度的经验公式,并从理论上初步解释了公式中各参数的物理意义。作出了理论近似计算得到的表观扩散系数的变化曲线,其在ＬＣＳＴ附近各温度的变化趋势符合预测     

Synthesis and Drug Release Properties of Thermosensitive Poly(N-vinylacetamide-co-vinylacetate) Hydrogels

Thermosensitive poly[N-vinylacetamide-co-vinylacetate][P(NVA-co-VAc)] hydrogels were prepared via free radical copolymerization from hydrophilic NVA and hydrophobic VAc in the presence of butylenes-bis (N-vinylacetamide)(Bis-NVA) as crosslinker. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) images reveal that the as-prepared hydrogels were of three-dimensional network with irregular cave structure. The prepared hydrogels with more NVA in the feed swelled faster and the swelling ratio of the hydrogels gradually decrease...     

Swelling and Release Characteristics of Poly(Sulfopropyl Methacrylate Potassium-Co-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Gels

Abstract

A new polyelectrolyte gel consisting of sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate has been synthesized and characterized in terms of swelling and drug release. The swelling of the drug-free gel is influenced by the salt concentration, ranging from a swelling ratio of 44.0 in the absence of NaCl to 3.6 in 2 M NaCl. The degree of swelling does not fluctuate significantly in a variation of swelling ratios from 23.4 to 26.4 with the pH of the swelling medium ranging from 3.0 to 9.8 in 0.01 M NaCl. Even at pH 1.2 the swelling ratio is 10.7 in 0.01 M NaCl. The release of oxprenolol HC1 and diphenhydramine HCl, highly water-soluble drugs, are independent of both buffer concentration (0.01 to 0.1 M) and the pH (1.4 to 7.4) of the dissolution medium. However, the release of less water-soluble drugs, such as propranolol HCl and labetalol HCl, slows down as the pH decreases.     

Development of Poly(ethylene glycol) Based Amphiphilic Copolymers for Controlled Release Delivery of Carbofuran

The formation of micelles in a solvent that is selective for one of the blocks is one of the most important and useful properties of block copolymers. We had synthesized copolymers of polyethylene glycol and various dimethyl esters, which self assemble into nano micellar aggregates in aqueous media. In the present work, we have utilized these nano micelles for the encapsulation of carbofuran, [2,3–dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate], a systemic insecticide-nematicide, for the development of controlled release formulation.     

Comparative Study on the Collapse Transition of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Gels and Magnetic Nanoparticles Loaded Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Gels

A novel polymer gel exhibiting simultaneous temperature and magnetic field sensitivity has been prepared and studied. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and magnetic nanoparticles (magnetite, Fe₃O₄) loaded PNIPA gel beads with mm size and monolith gels with cm size were prepared. The dependence of swelling degree on the temperature has been studied. The effects of cross-linking density and the presence of magnetic nanoparticles on the equilibrium swelling degree as well as on the collapse transition have been investigated. Swelling kinetic measurements were also made. By comparing the equilibrium swelling properties of PNIPA and magnetite loaded PNIPA gels it was found that the built in magnetic nanoparticles do not modify the temperature sensitivity of these gels. Within the experimental accuracy the temperature of the collapse transition was not sensitive to the presence of magnetic particles. We have compared the swelling behaviour of mm size gel beads to the cm size monolith gels in order to study the influence of surface skin layer on the swelling equilibrium. It was established that the extent of surface skin formation was decreased by the presence of magnetic particles.     

Thermosensitive Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-g -Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Derivatives: Preparation and the Drug Release Behaviors

Summary: A series of thermally responsive dendritic core-shell polymers were prepared based upon dendritic polyamidoamine (PAMAM), modified with carboxyl end-capped linear poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm-COOH) in different ratios via an esterification process to obtain PNIPAAm-g-PAMAM. The graft ratio of PNIPAAm could be adjusted by changing the feed ratio of PAMAM-OH to PNIPAAm-COOH and was verified by ¹H NMR and gel penetration chromatography (GPC). The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAAm-g-PAMAM evaluated by UV-vis spectrophotometer was about 32 °C. Indomethacin (IMC) as a model drug was loaded in the thermosensitive polymer-grafted dendrimer derivative and its release behavior was studied below and above its LCST (27 °C vs 37 °C). Results showed that the LCST of PNIPAAm-g-PAMAM was around 32 °C compared with that of the pure PNIPAAm. The release behavior of the indomethacin entrapped in the internal cavities of the PNIPAAm-g-PAMAM showed that almost 77% of the drug was cumulatively released at 27 °C after 10 hours, whereas only 20% was released at 37 °C. The release rate of IMC from the IMC/PNIPAAm-g-PAMAM complex at 37 °C is significantly slower than that at 27 °C, which indicates that the PNIPAAm chains grafted on the surface of PAMAM dendrimer could act as a channel switching on-off button through expending or contracting in response to the temperature variation and could control the drug release by varying the surrounding temperature.     

聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-g-壳聚糖)微粒的制备及其药物缓释性

以三聚磷酸钠为离子交联剂制备壳聚糖颗粒(CS);以N,N1-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺为交联剂,由N-异丙基丙烯酰胺与CS接枝共聚合成了聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-g-壳聚糖)微粒[P(NIPAM-g-CS)],其结构经IR和SEM表征.DSC测试结果显示,P(NIPAM-g-CS)具有温敏性,体积相转变温度33.51℃.P(NIPAM-g-CS)在中性条件下有良好的药物缓释性.     

One-Step Synthesis of Thermosensitive Nanogels Based on Highly Cross-Linked Poly(ionic liquid)s

A gel for all seasons: Thermosensitive nanogels based on highly cross-linked poly(ionic liquid)s (CLPNs) were prepared in one step by the copolymerization of imidazolium-based monomers with cross-linkers in selective solvents. Reversible nanogel-macrogel transitions of CLPNs in methanol could be achieved by changing the temperature.     

具有pH和还原双重敏感性壳聚糖纳米微凝胶的制备及其控释性能

以含双硫键的N,N-二(3-羧基丙烯酰)胱胺(BCCy)为交联剂,在1-(3-二甲氨基丙基)-3-乙基碳二亚胺盐酸盐/N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺(EDC/NHS)的催化下将壳聚糖(CS)交联,在水溶液中制备了纳米微凝胶。通过红外、元素分析、纳米粒度仪和扫描电镜等对其结构和形貌进行了表征,考察了pH和还原性环境对粒径的影响。对抗癌药物喜树碱(CPT)进行了负载,考察了载药粒子在还原性环境中对药物的控释性能。结果表明:随交联剂用量的增加,纳米微凝胶的粒径减小。该纳米微凝胶具有较好的生物相容性、较显著的pH和还原敏感性。     

Biodegradable Coumaric Acid‐Based Poly(anhydride‐ester) Synthesis and Subsequent Controlled Release

To overcome drug delivery issues associated with its short half‐life in vivo, p‐coumaric acid (pCA), a naturally occurring bioactive, has been chemically incorporated into a poly(anhydride‐ester) backbone through solution polymerization. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies indicated that pCA was successfully incorporated without noticeable alterations in structural integrity. The polymer's weight‐average molecular weight and thermal properties were determined, exhibiting a molecular weight of over 26 000 Da and a glass transition temperature of 57 °C. In addition, in vitro hydrolytic release studies demonstrated pCA release over 30 d with maintained antioxidant activity, demonstrating the polymer's potential as a controlled release system.

     

新型结合阿霉素的聚乙二醇嵌段共聚树枝状聚赖氨酸的合成及其药物缓释行为的研究

采用液相多肽合成方法, 成功制备得到窄分子量分布、结构确定的聚乙二醇嵌段共聚四代树枝状聚赖氨酸 (MPEG-block-DPL4). 在此基础上, 进一步将其DPL4的端氨基转化为端肼基, 并通过其与抗肿瘤药物阿霉素(DOX) C＝O的反应形成C＝N键, 实现在DPL4表面的阿霉素药物分子化学结合, 最终得到新型pH敏感性的高分子药物MPEG-block-DPL4-CONHN＝DOX. 运用紫外分光光度(UV-Vis)法, 对MPEG-block-DPL4-CONHNH₂与阿霉素的负载效率进行了定量分析. 高分子药物MPEG-block-DPL4-CONHN＝DOX在生理条件(pH＝7.4)下相对稳定, 而弱酸性条件(pH＝4.5, 5.5)下, C＝N键能较快水解, 释放阿霉素药物分子. 体外细胞毒性评价结果表明(细胞株SMMC-7721和SPCA-1), 所得新型高分子药物MPEG-block-DPL4-CONHN＝DOX的细胞毒性显著地低于游离阿霉素药物分子, 因此, 可进一步研究发展成为新型pH敏感性可控缓释高分子抗肿瘤药物载体体系.     

Multiscale Porosity from Thermoreversible Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Gels in Diethyl Azelate

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) produces thermoreversible gels in a series of diesters. The polymer-solvent complexation occurred for intermittent number of carbon atoms n ⩾ 2 and the enthalpy of complexation increased with increasing n. The gels were dried by replacing the diesters with low boiling solvent like cyclohexane (bp. 80 °C) and methylcyclohexane (bp. 99 °C). The porosity of the dried gels was measured using Poremaster-60. For PVF₂-DEAZ gel meso and macro porosity have been observed. The former pore dimensions have been attributed for polymer-solvent complexation while the macroporosity has been attributed for caging of solvent between the PVF₂ fibrils The porosity measured from nitrogen adsorption isotherms using BJH method indicate presence of minimum pore diameter of 3.8 nm for the 10% dried gel of PVF₂.     

Polymer Nanoparticles Based on Pyrene‐Functionalized Poly(acrylic acid) for Controlled Release under Photo and pH Stimulation

A novel photo and pH‐responsive amphiphilic pyrene‐functionalized polymer is synthesized by the esterification reaction between poly(acryloyl chloride) and pyrenemethanol and subsequent hydrolysis of the unreacted acylchloride groups. This random copolymer consists of hydrophobic pyrene‐containing acrylate units and hydrophilic acrylic acid units, which can self‐assemble into nanoparticles in water. Under UV irradiation, the nanoparticles can be disrupted with decreasing particle number resulted from the photolysis of pyrenylmethyl esters, where the hydrophobic segments are converted to hydrophilic acrylic acids; at low pH, the acrylic acid segments are protonated and collapsed, thus the nanoparticles will be shrunk and aggregated; at high pH, the nanoparticles change to fractal structures owing to the aggregation of partially dissociated nanoparticles and the subsequent structural reorganization of the clusters. The controlled release of Nile Red from the nanoparticles stimulated by photo and pH separately and synergistically is demonstrated. The nanoparticles self‐assembled from the dual‐stimuli‐sensitive polymer can be used as a new nanocarrier and find their applications in delivery system.

     

聚(L-谷氨酸)微球的制备及其口服药物控释研究

通过正己胺引发γ-苯甲基-L-谷氨酸酯-N-内羧酸酐(BLG-NCA)开环聚合制备聚(γ-苯甲基-L-谷氨酸酯)(PBLG), 并进一步脱掉苯甲基保护得到聚(L-谷氨酸)(PLG). 以利福平为模型药物, 通过油包油(O/O)无水乳液法制备了PLG载药微球. 扫描电子显微镜检测表明该载药微球具有良好的球形形貌且粒径分布较均一, 粒径大小约为9.0 μm. 体外释放实验表明该载药微球对利福平的释放具有明显的pH敏感性, 在模拟胃液中较少释放利福平, 而在模拟肠液中较快并大量释放利福平, 符合口服药物载体释放性能的要求, 可用于口服药物的定位肠溶性载体. 此外, 噻唑蓝实验表明该微球具有良好的生物相容性.     

Controlled Release of IgG by Novel UV Induced Polysaccharide/Poly(amino acid) Hydrogels

The development of new protein and peptide drugs needs new delivery systems able to entrap such drugs in safe conditions without affecting their structure and biological activity. In this context, the present work reports a new approach to load IgG, used as a model of therapeutic proteins such as anti‐TNF‐α monoclonal antibodies, into a polymeric system able to release the entrapped IgG in a controlled manner. In particular, new polysaccharide/poly(amino acid) UV induced hydrogels are proposed as colon delivery systems for human IgG. The poly(amino acid), α,β‐poly[N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐D ,L ‐aspartamide], has been functionalized with methacrylic anhydride, while the polysaccharide, inulin, has been functionalized with methacrylic anhydride and succinic anhydride. The hydrogels were obtained by a short‐time UV irradiation, in physiological‐like conditions, without the use of radical initiators, at low temperature and in the presence or in the absence of PEGDM₅₅₀ used as a co‐crosslinker in order to evaluate potential differences in terms of physicochemical properties and release profile. The obtained hydrogels were degradable by inulinase, showed a high cell compatibility and the released antibodies, analyzed by SEC and ELISA, retained their biological activity.

     

Multiporous Materials From Thermoreversible Poly(vinyledene fluoride) Gels

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVF₂) produces thermoreversible gels with alkyl diesters of general formula (CH₂)_n (COOEt)₂ as well as with camphor, a naturally occurring ketone. These gels containing polymer-solvent intercalates yield multiporous materials when subjected to controlled solvent removal techniques. The micro and meso pores are attributed to polymer-solvent complexation while the macro pores are formed as a result of removal of the solvent trapped in the fibrillar network. PVF₂ –diethyl azelate (DEAZ, n = 6) and PVF₂ -camphor gels produce porous polymer network when dried by cyclohexane leaching. FESEM images exhibit porous network structures with fibrillar morphology. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) shows presence of pores having diameter in the range 4 nm–400µm for both the systems. The BJH pore size distribution curves for both systems confirm the presence of mesoporosity. The HK pore size distribution plots indicate that micropores are also created and it also puts evidence of single molecule solvent intercalation between the PVF₂ strands. The hysteresis between the extrusion and the intrusion curves indicates the presence of channel type/ink-bottle type structure in these systems.