Synthesis and characterization of smart N-isopropylacrylamide-based magnetic nanocomposites containing doxorubicin anti-cancer drug.

In the present study, magnetic and thermo/pH-sensitive (multiresponsive) nanocomposites based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) were synthesized and characterized. Nanocomposites were synthesized by free radical emulsion polymerization of NIPAAM as thermosensitive monomer and N,N-dimethyl-aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) as pH-sensitive monomer in the presence of methylene-bis-acrylamide as cross-linking agent. Doxorubicin, an anti-cancer drug, was loaded into these nanocomposites via equilibrium swelling method. Thermo/pH-sensitive cross-linked poly (NIPAAM-DMAEMA)-Fe3O4 nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The volume of the loaded drug and drug release amount was determined by UV measurements. The results showed that this thermo/pH-sensitive magnetic nanocomposite has a high drug-loading efficiency. Doxorubicin was released at 40 °C and pH 5.8 more than the 37 °C and pH 7.4.

In vitro study and characterization of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic nanoparticles modified with biodegradable copolymers.

Magnetic nanoparticles are a main class of nanoscale materials with the potential to revolutionize present clinical therapeutic and diagnostic techniques. Functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with copolymers, different surfactants, or other organic compounds is usually done in order to achieve better physicochemical properties. Poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers have been extensively used as biodegradable carriers for drug delivery. These biodegradable aliphatic polyesters, with proven biocompatibility, have versatile biodegradation properties, depending on their molecular weight and chemical composition. The aim of the present work was to assess the merits of Fe3 O4-PLGA-PEG nanoparticles as anticancer drug carriers. For this purpose, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were first prepared, and then the copolymer PLGA-PEG was synthesized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) of various molecular weights. The copolymer was confirmed with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Doxorubicin was encapsulated within nanoparticles made of Fe3O4-PLGA-PEG, using the double emulsion method (w/o/w). The nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, and the in vitro release of doxorubicin.