MTX-Loaded Dual Thermoresponsive and pH-Responsive Magnetic Hydrogel Nanocomposite Particles for Combined Controlled Drug Delivery and Hyperthermia Therapy of Cancer

Abstract

In recent years, the exploitation of magnetic nanoparticles in smart polymeric matrices have received increased attention in several fields as site-specific drug delivery systems. Here, ultrasonic-assisted emulsion copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 2-(N,N-diethylaminoethyl) methacrylate (DEAEMA) in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was employed to prepare pH- and temperature-responsive magnetite nanocomposite particles (MNCPs). The obtained MNCPs were fully characterized by TEM, DSC, FT-IR, VSM, and XRD techniques. They had an average particle size of 70 nm with a lower critical solution temperature of 42 °C and superparamagnetic properties. In addition, MNCPs were loaded with methotrexate (MTX) as an anticancer drug, and their in vitro drug release was studied in different pH values and temperatures and in the presence of an alternating magnetic field. Noteworthy that the highest rate of MTX release was observed at pH 5.5 and 42 °C. Cell viability of the treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line with free MTX, MNCPs, and MTX-loaded MNCPs or in combination with magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) and water-based hyperthermia was comparatively studied. The obtained results showed about 17% higher antiproliferative activity for the MTX-loaded MNCPs accompanied by MHT relative to that of free MTX.

pH Responsive Abelmoschus esculentus Mucilage and Administration of Methotrexate: In-Vitro Antitumor and In-Vivo Toxicity Evaluation

“…In contrast, the release is slow in pH 1.2 and 7.4 as the swelling index is low. The results were consistent with other previous studies carried out on the pH-responsive nanocarriers of MTX though unlike our NPs most of these require a hectic synthesis procedure [42][43][44].…”

“…The drug was released more quickly at pH 5.5 due to the protonation of carboxyl and amino groups present on the AEM-CS surface which increased the swelling potential of both polymers (AEM and CS) in a slightly acidic medium. This is due to the repulsion between similar charges that allowed faster drug release in pH 5.5 [ 42 ]. In contrast, the release is slow in pH 1.2 and 7.4 as the swelling index is low.…”

Methotrexate-Loaded Gelatin and Polyvinyl Alcohol (Gel/PVA) Hydrogel as a pH-Sensitive Matrix

“…In general, two major factors control drug release from swelling controlled matrix systems, including (i) the rate of aqueous medium infiltration into the matrix, followed by a relaxation process (hydration, gelation or swelling); and (ii) the rate of matrix erosion [ 42 ]. The Gel concentration was kept constant in formulations A1 to A3, while the PVA concentration varied between 1.5 g, 2 g and 2.5 g. The formulations were evaluated to determine the effect of the decreasing concentration of PVA on the swelling rate.…”

Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: From the Soul of the Earth to the Deep History of Ourselves

“…Novel core–shell magnetite nanoparticles containing modified Fe 3 O 4 MNPs as the core and a poly­(NIPAM- co -DEAEMA) shell were prepared via ultrasonically assisted emulsion . DEAEMA has been incorporated in the copolymer structure to increase its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and allow a successful temperature-controlled drug release.…”