Synthesis of Thermoresponsive Polymers for Drug Delivery

Abstract

A protocol for synthesizing thermosensitive copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP), cross-linked with N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) has been described in this chapter. The copolymers have been formed at different concentrations of NIPAM and VP and at two different temperatures (70 °C and 30 °C). The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the samples has been measured, and the size of the particles formed with the highest concentration of NIPAM and lowest concentration of VP (MG1 and NG1) has been measured at three different temperatures of 25 °C, 35 °C, and 37 °C. Both MG1 and NG1 showed the lowest size at 37 °C. The MG1 and NG1 samples were further characterized using TEM and SEM. The MG1 particles were subsequently used for protein drug delivery, using BSA as a model. The release profile showed the best fit with the zero-order model. Finally, cytotoxicity studies of the synthesized MG1 and NG1 particles were carried out, using in vitro MTT assay, so as to determine the overall biocompatibility of the materials.

Delivery of anti-inflammatory peptides from hollow PEGylated poly(NIPAM) nanoparticles reduces inflammation in an ex vivo osteoarthritis model

“…Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) has been extensively studied in a variety of biomedical applications[33–35], as it exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at ~31–33°C[36, 37]. pNIPAM-based nanoparticles are water soluble at temperatures below the LCST, allowing for loading of water soluble therapeutics via passive diffusion[31, 37].…”

Cancer drug delivery in the nano era: An overview and perspectives

“…Natural polymers that are extensively used in nanoparticle synthesis include chitosan, dextran, albumin, heparin, gelatin, and collagen ( 42 , 43 ). Chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles ( 44 , 45 ) and chitosan nanoparticles ( 46 – 49 ) can carry and deliver proteins in an active form and transport them to specific organs. Synthetic polymers, such as PEGylated PLA nanoparticles and PLA-PEG-PLA nanoparticles ( 50 – 54 ), poly-PLGA nanoparticles ( 55 ), monomethoxypolyethylene glycol-block-polycaprolactone nanoparticles ( 56 ), and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide copolymers ( 57 ), assist in the transport of proteins within the drug capsules.…”

“…Micellar nanoparticles possess a core and a shell structure. PEG is often used as a hydrophilic shell; shells with hydrophobic domains include PLA ( 52 ), PLGA ( 44 , 45 ), polystyrene, poly (cyanoacrylate), poly (vinylpyrrolidone), and polycaprolactone ( 56 ). These copolymers are widely used owing to their natural biodegradability and biocompatibility as well as their ability to entrap hydrophobic drugs.…”

Cancer Nanomedicine Special Issue Review Anticancer Drug Delivery with Nanoparticles: Extracellular Vesicles or Synthetic Nanobeads as Therapeutic Tools for Conventional Treatment or Immunotherapy

“…Natural polymers used in NP composition include chitosan, dextran, albumin, heparin, gelatin, and collagen [ 109 , 110 ]. PLGA and chitosan NP are good vehicles for the transport and delivery of proteins [ 111 , 112 , 113 ]. Thermosensitive polymers, triggered by temperature variations, have been used to control drug delivery [ 111 , 114 ].…”

“…PLGA and chitosan NP are good vehicles for the transport and delivery of proteins [ 111 , 112 , 113 ]. Thermosensitive polymers, triggered by temperature variations, have been used to control drug delivery [ 111 , 114 ].…”