Sonochemistry‐Assembled Stimuli‐Responsive Polymer Microcapsules for Drug Delivery

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive polymer microcapsules (PMs) fabricated by the sonochemical method have emerged for developing useful drug delivery systems, and the latest developments are mainly focusing on the synthetic strategies and properties such as structure, size, stability, loading capacity, drug delivery, and release. There, the primary attribution of sonochemistry is to offer a simple and practical approach for the preparation of PMs. Structure, size, stability, and properties of PMs are designed mainly according to synthetic materials, implementation schemes, or specific demands. Numerous functionalities of PMs based on different stimuli are demonstrated: targeting motion in a magnetic field or adhering to the living cells with sensitive sites through molecular recognition, and stimuli-triggered release including enzymatic catalysis, chemical reaction as well as physical or mechanical process. The current review discusses the basic principles and mechanisms of stimuli effects, and describes the progress in the application such as targeted drug systems and controlled drug systems, and also gives an outlook on the future challenges and opportunities for drug delivery and theranostics.

Sonochemical fabrication of inorganic nanoparticles for applications in catalysis

“… [47] In fact, the structure, size, stability and activity of inorganics-based hybrid nanomaterials are important to both the quality of properties and the acceptability of applications, and the relevant research results or viewpoints have been reviewed in detail in other papers. [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] , [53] …”

Sonochemical catalysis as a unique strategy for the fabrication of nano-/micro-structured inorganics

“…[22][23] However, ultrasonic irradiation, different from heat, light or other energy sources, can offer some extreme transient conditions (e.g., localized high pressure and temperature) and physical and/or mechanical effects to complete some chemistry-correlative applications, and the whole processes are basically induced by acoustic cavitation created from either low-frequency or highfrequency ultrasound. [24] Acoustic cavitation is an instantaneous process across the formation, growth and violent collapse of micro-sized bubbles which are caused by ultrasound irradiating a liquid. [25] As we know, ultrasound is a longitudinal pressure wave, and when the sound moves and propagates through a medium, the acoustic pressure cycles will cause the medium containing gas or particles to experience an alternate compression and rarefaction phase.…”

Autonomous Drug Release Systems with Disease Symptom‐Associated Triggers

“…The controlled release can be triggered by a healthcare provider or the patient (referred to as exogenous stimuli hereafter). The exogenous signals include temperature, light, magnetic field, ultrasound, electric currents, and mechanical forces . Different from passive release and extended/sustained release where the medication releases immediately after being taken by the patient or being applied to the tissues, the drug release rate in controlled release remains at a very low level until the reception of the exogenous stimuli.…”