Fluorescent multi-responsive cross-linked P(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based nanocomposites for cisplatin delivery

Abstract

Magnetic, pH and temperature-sensitive, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based nanocomposites with fluorescent properties were synthesized by free radical copolymerization-cross linking of NIPAM, N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and 4-acrylamidofluorescein (AFA). The model anti-cancer drug, cisplatin (CDDP), was loaded into the resulted nanogel. For the production of CDDP-loaded nanocomposite, Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and CDDP were loaded into the nanogel. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) indicated that the size of nanogel and CDDP-loaded nanocomposite were about 90 and 160 nm, respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of CCDP was found up to 65%. The loaded CCDP showed sustained thermal and pH-responsive drug release. A high level of drug release was observed under the conditions of low pH and high temperature. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of synthesized nanogel was about 40 °C. CDDP-loaded nanocomposite showed a volume phase transition from 282 to 128 nm at its LCST. Accordingly, in this study, the synthesized nanocomposite can be employed as a stimuli-responsive anti-cancer drug delivery system and the pH and temperature of solution have the potential to monitor the drug release.

Keywords:

• Cisplatin
• multi-responsive magnetic nanocomposite
• fluorescent
• controlled drug delivery

Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by “Iran National Science Foundation”. The authors would like to express their appreciation to the current president of the INSF, Dr. Nosratollah Zargham, and their financial officers for their support and assistance with this project. Also, the authors thank Department of Medical Nanotechnology of the School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services for financial support.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by Iran National Science Foundation, [10.13039/501100003968], Medicine of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, [10.13039/501100004484].