Stimuli-Responsive Poly(aspartamide) Derivatives and Their Applications as Drug Carriers

Abstract

Poly(aspartamide) derivatives, one kind of amino acid-based polymers with excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, meet the key requirements for application in various areas of biomedicine. Poly(aspartamide) derivatives with stimuli-responsiveness can usually respond to external stimuli to change their chemical or physical properties. Using external stimuli such as temperature and pH as switches, these smart poly(aspartamide) derivatives can be used for convenient drug loading and controlled release. Here, we review the synthesis strategies for preparing these stimuli-responsive poly(aspartamide) derivatives and the latest developments in their applications as drug carriers.

Responsive Hydrogels Based on Triggered Click Reactions for Liver Cancer

“…[ 179 ] Polymers with stimuli‐responsive properties often exhibit changes in their physical or chemical properties. [ 180 ] When using external stimuli such as light and temperature as switches, these smart polymers can be applied to drug delivery system and controlled drug release. [ 181 ] The addition of the stimulus‐response component causes the hydrogel to reversibly change its water absorption in response to temperature, light, electric field, or local chemical environment.…”

Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Materials for Energy, Water, and Biomedical Applications: A Review

“…Smart polymers display chemical, physical, or structural changes based on changes in the environmental conditions. In biology applications, stimuli-responsive polymers undergo a change in their intrinsic properties in response to the change in biological conditions [146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155]. The different stimuli can be pH, temperature, pressure, electric or magnetic fields, concentration, light, ionic force, redox potential, etc.…”

Poly(succinimide) nanoparticles as reservoirs for spontaneous and sustained synthesis of poly(aspartic acid) under physiological conditions: potential for vascular calcification therapy and oral drug delivery

“…Due to its anionic nature, PASP and its corresponding gels respond to pH changes and thus can be utilized as smart stimuli-responsive hydrogels. 3,4…”

“…Due to its anionic nature, PASP and its corresponding gels respond to pH changes and thus can be utilized as smart stimuli-responsive hydrogels. 3,4 Both in small and large scales, PASP is typically obtained by alkali hydrolysis of its precursors, that is poly(succinimide) (PSI). 5 In addition to alkali hydrolysis, the succinimide rings of PSI can be opened by primary amines, yielding polyaspartamides, allowing one to modify PSI/PASP with a wide variety of species ranging from polymers to drugs.…”