Sharif Digital Repository

Herein, the facile and tunable technique for the preparation of novel multi-stimuli-responsive nanocomposites via RAFT polymerization for DOX delivery is reported. The influence of the molecular weight of pH- and thermo-sensitive poly (acrylic acid-co-NIPAM) (PNAx), as a macro-RAFT agent, on the nanocomposites size and drug release rate was investigated. The outcome of this study reveals that macro-RAFT agent with lower molecular weight can be attached to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles with higher content of polymeric layer than can macro-RAFT agent with higher molecular weight. Also, it was observed that the particle size, polymer grafting density, DOX loading capacity, and DOX... 

Herein, a novel type of multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles with dual thermal and pH-responsive behavior was fabricated as the carrier for delivery of doxorubicin (DOX). Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles, were grafted with polymer brushes consisting of poly (NIPAM-co-GMA) (PNG) chains via surface initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-RAFT) polymerization. The polymer brushes were then modified with hydrazine groups as DOX binding sites. The prepared multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, XPS, TGA, DLS, VSM, GPC, TEM, and XRD analysis. The in vitro drug release of the multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles was examined at 37 °C... 

A novel injectable in situ gelling thermosensitive chitosan-block-poly(ethylene glycol) formulation was synthesized for drug delivery applications. Block copolymerization of monomethoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) onto chitosan using potassium persulfate as an initiator was carried under a nitrogen atmosphere in aqueous solution. The effects of potassium persulfate and poly(ethylene glycol) concentrations, reaction time and reaction temperature on block polymerization were studied by determining the yield of reaction (%Y), polymerization efficiency (%E) and add-on percentage (%Add-on). Keeping the other conditions constant, the optimum reaction conditions were found to be initiator = 0.01 M,... 

Magnetic micelle nanoparticles with thermoresponsive behavior were designed for thermo-triggered paclitaxel delivery. For this purpose, thermoresponsive triblock copolymer poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-b-polycaprolactone-b-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) was prepared. The magnetic micelle was formed by self-assembly of triblock copolymer on the magnetite which was coated by oleic acid. The size of the magnetic micelle was between 30–40 nm reported by transmission electron microscopy. Also, dynamic light scattering indicated the hydrodynamic diameter was thermal dependent. Moreover, the drug release profile showed thermo-triggered release of paclitaxel. Thus, the smart nanocarrier has potential... 

The multistep release of therapeutic agents in the theranostic particulate systems has remained as a challenge in smart drug delivery. In this study, superparamagnetic nanoparticles of Fe3O4 were coated with a blend of F127/F68 grades of pluronic in order to adjust the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and consequently engineering of the release temperature. Pluronic as a biocompatible thermo-sensitive polymer is frequently used as a self-emulsifying drug delivery system. Magnetite nanoparticles with double layer coating of oleic acid and pluronic F127 have been reported as an on-demand smart carrier for hydrophobic drugs. LCST was examined using differential scanning calorimetry... 

Magnetic micelle nanoparticles with thermoresponsive behavior were designed for thermo-triggered paclitaxel delivery. For this purpose, thermoresponsive triblock copolymer poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-b-polycaprolactone-b-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) was prepared. The magnetic micelle was formed by self-assembly of triblock copolymer on the magnetite which was coated by oleic acid. The size of the magnetic micelle was between 30–40 nm reported by transmission electron microscopy. Also, dynamic light scattering indicated the hydrodynamic diameter was thermal dependent. Moreover, the drug release profile showed thermo-triggered release of paclitaxel. Thus, the smart nanocarrier has potential... 

Myocardial infarction is a major cause of death worldwide and remains a social and healthcare burden. Injectable hydrogels with the ability to locally deliver drugs or cells to the damaged area can revolutionize the treatment of heart diseases. Herein, we formulate a thermo-responsive and injectable hydrogel based on conjugated chitosan/poloxamers for cardiac repair. To tailor the mechanical properties and electrical signal transmission, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with an average diameter of 50 nm were physically bonded to oxidized bacterial nanocellulose fibers (OBC) and added to the thermosensitive hydrogel at the ratio of 1% w/v. The prepared hydrogels have a porous structure with open... 

A thermosensitive copolymer was synthesized by graft copolymerization of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) copolymers onto the surface of chitosan membranes. Acryloyl chloride was used as a coupling reagent for the covalent attachment of PLGA to the chitosan membranes. FTIR spectroscopy and DSC analysis were used to characterize the resulting graft copolymer. Thermosensitive swelling behaviors of the copolymer were investigated as well. The membranes exhibited reversible swelling-shrinking behavior; higher swelling ratios were obtained observed at higher temperatures. Drug permeation studies were carried out using vancomycin hydrochloride and betamethasone sodium phosphate as the model... 

Limited regeneration capacity of cartilage can be addressed by tissue engineering approaches including localized delivery of bioactive agents using biomaterials. Although chitosan hydrogels have been considered as appropriate candidates for these purposes, however, their poor mechanical properties limit their real applications. Here, we develop in situ forming chitosan hydrogels with enhanced shear modulus by chemical modification of chitosan using N-(β-maleimidopropyloxy) succinimide ester (BMPS). Moreover, we utilize β-Glycerophosphate (β-GP) in the hydrogels for achieving thermosensitivity. We investigate the effects of BMPS, β-GP and chitosan concentration on rheological and swelling...