abstract
In this study, multicore-like iron oxide (Fe3O4) and manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized and combined with nanogels based on chitosan and alginate to obtain a multimodal drug delivery system. The nanoparticles exhibited crystalline structures and displayed sizes of 20 +/- 3 nm (Fe3O4) and 11 +/- 2 nm (MnFe2O4). The Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed a higher saturation magnetization and heating efficiency compared with the MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Functionalization with citrate and bovine serum albumin was found to improve the stability and modified surface properties. The nanoparticles were encapsulated in nanogels, and provided high drug encapsulation efficiencies (similar to 70%) using doxorubicin as a model drug. The nanogels exhibited sustained drug release, with enhanced release under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation and acidic pH. The nanogels containing BSA-functionalized nanoparticles displayed improved sustained drug release at physiological pH, and the release kinetics followed a diffusion-controlled mechanism. These results demonstrate the potential of synthesized nanoparticles and nanogels for controlled drug delivery, offering opportunities for targeted and on-demand release in biomedical applications.
keywords
ENHANCED RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPY; BOVINE SERUM-ALBUMIN; SILVER NANOPARTICLES; CO-DELIVERY; CHITOSAN; ALGINATE; PH; CURCUMIN; EFFICACY; THERAPY
subject category
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
authors
Veloso, SRS; Marta, ES; Rodrigues, PV; Moura, C; Amorim, CO; Amaral, VS; Correa-Duarte, MA; Castanheira, EMS
our authors
Carlos Amorim
Assistant Researcher
Vitor Brás Sequeira Amaral
Full professorGroups
G2 - Photonic, Electronic and Magnetic Materials
G6 - Virtual Materials and Artificial Intelligence
acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UIDB/04650/2020), and by the Ministerio deEconomia y Competitividad de Espana (PID2020-113704RB-I00 and PID2020-119242RB-I00), Xunta deGalicia (Centro Singular de Investigacion de Galicia-Accreditation 2019-2022 ED431G 2019/06 and IN607A 2018/5 and project ED431C 2020-06), the European Union (EU-ERDF Interreg V-A-Spain-Portugal 0245_IBEROS_1_E, 0712_ACUINANO_1_E, and 0624_2IQBIONEURO_6_E, and InterregAtlantic Area NANOCULTURE 1.102.531), and the European Union H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019 PEPSA-MATE project. S.R.S. Veloso acknowledges FCT for a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/144017/2019). Support from MAP-Fis Doctoral Programme is also acknowledged