Cross-linked Pluronic-g-Polyacrylic acid microgel system for the controlled release of doxorubicin in pharmaceutical formulations.

The binding of doxorubicin (DOX) to cross-linked Pluronic F127-g-PAA-EGDMA and L92-g-PAA-EGDMA microgels at different alpha (α) and salt concentrations was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC), optical and scanning electron microscopic techniques (SEM). We seek to elucidate the mechanisms of interaction and the release of DOX from cross-linked microgels composed of Pluronic and poly(acrylic acid). The ITC results indicated a high binding affinity of DOX to the microgel, which is a function of salt concentrations due to the impact of electrostatic shielding on the DOX-binding process. Applying the polyelectrolyte theory allows the decoupling of the Gibbs free energy of binding that describes the role of non-electrostatic interaction of DOX and the microgel. The presence of DOX within the microgel resulted in the collapse of the microgel due to charge shielding, π-π interactions and self-association of polymer-bound DOX molecules. The diffusion of DOX through the microgel is controlled by the dissociation of COO-/DOX+ coupling pairs.

Synthesis and characterization of pH-responsive and fluorescent poly (amidoamine) dendrimer-grafted cellulose nanocrystals.

Poly (amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers have found promising applications in biomedicine and in the encapsulation of inorganic nanoparticles. G6 PAMAM dendrimer-grafted cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-PAMAM) were prepared via a simple carbodiimide-mediated amidation process and they displayed pH-responsive and fluorescent characteristics as confirmed by zeta potential, transmittance, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and fluorescence spectroscopy. Stable aqueous dispersions of CNC-PAMAM were obtained at pH⩽4 and pH⩾10, driven by electrostatic repulsion from positive charge and negative charge respectively. However, large aggregates were formed at pH values from 5 to 9 due to electrostatic attraction. In addition, strong blue fluorescent emission was observed, and the fluorescent behaviour of CNC-PAMAM was influenced by the formation of aggregates. The pH-responsive and fluorescent properties of CNC-PAMAM may be suitable for their applications in pH-responsive nanodevices, fluorescent-based pH sensors, optical markers, and nanoreactors for the encapsulation of inorganic nanoparticles.