A novel pH-sensitive and magnetic starch-based nanocomposite hydrogel as a controlled drug delivery system for wound healing

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 179; p. 109255
• Main Authors: Nezami, Shabnam, Sadeghi, Mohammad, Mohajerani, Hamidreza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Bioavailability; Copolymerization; degradation; Drug carriers; Drug delivery systems; Drug release; Graft copolymers; Guaifenesin; Hydrogels; Iron oxides; Itaconic acid; Magnetic fields; Magnetic nanocomposite; Magnetic properties; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; polymers; Responsive hydrogel; starch; Wound healing; Drug release; Graft copolymers; Magnetic nanocomposite; Responsive hydrogel; Guaifenesin
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109255

pH-sensitive magnetic nanocomposite hydrogel was fabricated by the graft copolymerization of itaconic acid onto starch in the presence of Fe3O4 nanoparticles for Guaifenesin (GFN) delivery and wound healing. The structure of the prepared nanocomposite hydrogels was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, TEM, DLS, EDX and TGA/DTG techniques. The embedment of Fe3O4 nanoparticles into starch-itaconic acid hydrogel network endowed the material with magnetic property. In addition, GFN not only achieved effectively bound to the nanocomposite hydrogel, but also released in a controlled and pH-dependent manner. The application of an external magnetic field could significantly enhance the drug release percentage, so that only about % 54.1 GFN was released within 24 h in pH 7.4 for free Fe3O4- nanocomposite, whereas that was % 90.4 for nanocomposite with % 0.83 Fe3O4 at the same condition. More importantly, the released GFN preserved its bioavailability. Taken together, these hydrogel drug carriers provide a promising platform for magnetically targeted drug delivery as well as a dress for wound healing. •pH-sensitive magnetic hydrogels were prepared to improve in-vitro/in-vivo releasing GFN drug.•The results showed that applied magnetic field could significantly enhance the % drug release.•The wound healing ability of the prepared hydrogels onto 20 mice was evaluated.•The results showed that the GFN-loaded hydrogels possessed excellent wound healing properties.