Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed in Pluronic F127 hydrogel: potential uses in topical applications

• Published in: RSC advances Vol. 7; no. 24; pp. 14496 - 14503
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, L. C., Seabra, A. B., Pelegrino, M. T., de Araujo, D. R., Bernardes, J. S., Haddad, P. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Dispersion; Hydrogels; Iron oxides; Nanoparticles; Nitric oxide; Photoelectrons; Poloxamers; Rheological properties; Size distribution; Sodium nitrite; Thermal decomposition; X ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Zeta potential
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/C6RA28633J

The present study is focused on the synthesis and characterization of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs), and their incorporation in Pluronic F127 hydrogel with great potential for topical applications. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of acetylacetonate iron (Fe(acac) 3 ), and coated with the thiol containing molecule mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), leading to Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NPs. The obtained NPs were characterized using different techniques. The results showed that the Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NPs have a mean diameter of 11 nm, in the solid state, and superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NPs have an average hydrodynamic size of (78.0 ± 0.9) nm, average size distribution (PDI) of 0.302 ± 0.04, and zeta potential of (−22.10 ± 0.55) mV. Free thiol groups on the Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NP surface were nitrosated by the addition of sodium nitrite, yielding S -nitrosated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 - S -nitroso-MSA NPs), which act as spontaneous NO donors upon S–N bond cleavage. The amount of (86.4 ± 4.7) μmol of NO was released per gram of Fe 3 O 4 - S -nitroso-MSA NPs. In order to enhance NP dispersion, Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NPs were incorporated in Pluronic F127 hydrogel (3.4% w/w), and characterized using different techniques. Rheological measurements suggest a potential use for Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NPs dispersed in Pluronic hydrogel for topical applications. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the NPs are embedded within the Pluronic film while the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum of the Fe 3 O 4 -MSA NPs samples revealed the presence of iron, oxygen, carbon and sulfur, confirming the presence of MSA molecules on the NP surface.