Synthesis and Evaluation of a Triblock Copolymer/ZnO Nanoparticles from Poly(ε-caprolactone) and Poly(Acrylic Acid) as a Potential Drug Delivery Carrier

Abstract

Through the present paper, a triblock copolymer containing pH-responsive (polyacrylic acid-b-polycaprolactone -b-polyacrylic acid) (PAA-b-PCL-b-PAA) was synthesized by using the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) and the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of the acrylic acid methods, as the drug carrier. Blends of the nanocrystalline zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) and triblock copolymer treated from the solution have been used to make the hybrid polymer-metal oxide for the preparation of the drug loaded nanocomposite. The drug-release behavior of the nanocomposite was studied by using the Doxorubicin as a model drug. In addition to the self-assembly and pH-responsive behavior of the triblock copolymers/ZnO was studied in solution by the Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), DLS, HNMR and FT-IR spectroscopy.

Hybrid Nanosystems for Biomedical Applications

“…The biocompatibility of AuNPs has been applied in conjunction with chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polypeptides to deliver drugs including 5-fluorouracil, DOX, curcumin, and sunitinib malate. ,, Moreover, polymers conjugated to AuNP DDS hybrids can be readily modified with pH-responsive moieties and targeting ligands . Additionally, inorganic compounds and MSNs can form the core of hybrid polymer DDSs, while others have designed systems including ZIFs and PtNPs to release chemotherapeutics in response to reduced pH. ,, For example, Dong et al utilized a CaP shell around a phosphatidylserine-PEG core to confer pH-responsivity to codelivery of verapamil and novantrone to treat multidrug-resistant breast cancer . Finally, inclusion of AgNPs can confer hybrid polymer DDSs with antibacterial properties, allowing them to be used in combination antibacterial/chemotherapeutic capacity …”

“…197 Additionally, inorganic compounds and MSNs can form the core of hybrid polymer DDSs, while others have designed systems including ZIFs and PtNPs to release chemotherapeutics in response to reduced pH. 57,85,248 For example, Dong et al utilized a CaP shell around a phosphatidylserine-PEG core to confer pH-responsivity to codelivery of verapamil and novantrone to treat multidrugresistant breast cancer. 66 Finally, inclusion of AgNPs can confer hybrid polymer DDSs with antibacterial properties, allowing them to be used in combination antibacterial/ chemotherapeutic capacity.…”

Reduction of Hepatotoxicity Induced by Doxorubicin

“…Blends of the nanocrystalline zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) and triblock copolymer treated from the solution have been used to make the hybrid polymer-metal oxide for the preparation of the drug loaded nanocomposite [31] Gold nanoparticles Anti-cancer efficacy Delivery of three cytotoxic drugs with a newly designed PEGylated gold NPs may provide promising and novel prospect in cancer therapy [32] Polyethylene sebacate (PES)-Gantrez® AN 119 DO x NPs Anti-cancer efficacy The high efficacy coupled with greater safety portrayed Pul DO x NPs as a promising nanocarrier for improved therapy of HCC [33] Porous Silicon Nanoparticles Inhibition of DoxorubicinResistant Cancer Cells A synergistic effect with the presence of AmQu is observed in both normal MCF-7 and DO x -resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Due to the similar structure as dopamine, AmQu may facilitate both the interaction and internalization of PSi into the cells [30] Doxorubicin loaded Galactose conjugated poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) nanoparticles…”

“…Antitumour efficacy of Dextran−doxorubicin (Dex−DO x ) conjugate increased with the molecular weight of dextran [30]. Blends of the nanocrystalline zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) and a copolymer consisting of three blocks was used to form the polymer-hybrid metal oxide for the preparation of DO x loaded nanocomposite [31]. Pegylated gold nanoparticles (NPs) have been delivered DO x successfully with anti-cancer efficacy [32].…”