Synthesis of dual responsive cyclotriphosphazene-based IPN hydrogels for controlled release of chemotherapeutic agent

Tragacanth gum-based multifunctional hydrogels and green synthesis of their silver nanocomposites for drug delivery and inactivation of multidrug resistant bacteria

This study investigated natural polymer-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels (TGIAVE) and their silver nanocomposites (TGIAVE-Ag). The hydrogels were composed of tragacanth gum, N-isopropyl acrylamide, and 2-(vinlyoxy) ethanol and were prepared via simple redox polymerization using N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a crosslinker and potassium persulfate as an initiator. The TGIAVE-Ag were synthesized via a green method involving an aqueous extract of Terminalia bellirica seeds. Structural, thermal, crystallinity, morphology, and size characteristics of the TGIAVE and TGIAVE-Ag were investigated by FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, DSC, SEM, EDS, DLS, and TEM. To understand the physicochemical interaction and diffusion characteristics of TGIAVEs, network parameters such as zero-order, first-order, Hixson-Crowell, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas values were calculated by assessing swelling data. TGIAVE hydrogels at pH 1.2 and 7.4 and temperatures of 25 and 37 °C may be used for time-dependent controlled release of 5-fluorouracil, an anticancer drug, TGIAVE-Ag may be applied for the inactivation of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria.

Phosphate crosslinked pectin based dual responsive hydrogel networks and nanocomposites: Development, swelling dynamics and drug release characteristics

Potential dual responsive hydrogel networks (PPAD) are fabricated from pectin, poly((2-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)) and phosphate crosslinker bis[2-methacryloyloxy] ethyl phosphate (BMEP) by a simple free radical polymerization. These hydrogel networks are successfully utilized for encapsulation of an anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and also employed as versatile platforms for production of silver nanoparticles. Fabricated hydrogel networks and silver nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, SEM, EDX, TEM, DLS, DSC, TGA and XRD. Different polymer network parameters such as M_C¯, χ, ξ and υ_e and diffusion constant (D) were evaluated to assess the drug release profile. The 5FU loaded PPAD hydrogels were used to perform in vitro release studies in both gastric and intestinal conditions of GIT (pH 1.2 & pH 7.4) at two different temperatures (25 and 37°C). On the other hand various kinetic models (zero, first, Higuchi & Koresmeyer-Peppas) have also been employed to fit drug release profile. In addition, the antibacterial activity of PPAD silver nanocomposites were tested against four bacterial species Escherichia coli (-ve), Klebsiella pneumoniae (-ve), Bacillus cereus (+ve) and Staphylococcus aereus (+ve) using zone of inhibition test.