Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible poly(organophosphazenes) aiming for local delivery of protein drugs

Effective Poly (Cyclotriphosphazene-Co-4,4'-Sulfonyldiphenol)@rGO Sheets for Tetracycline Adsorption: Fabrication, Characterization, Adsorption Kinetics and Thermodynamics

The development of excellent drug adsorbents and clarifying the interaction mechanisms between adsorbents and adsorbates are greatly desired for a clean environment. Herein, we report that a reduced graphene oxide modified sheeted polyphosphazene (rGO/poly (cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol)) defined as PZS on rGO was used to remove the tetracycline (TC) drug from an aqueous solution. Compared to PZS microspheres, the adsorption capacity of sheeted PZS@rGO exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 496 mg/g. The adsorption equilibrium data well obeyed the Langmuir isotherm model, and the kinetics isotherm was fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of TC was an exothermic, spontaneous process. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of the surface modification of PZS by the introduction of rGO, which tremendously increased the surface area necessary for high adsorption. Along with high surface area, electrostatic attractions, H-bonding, π-π stacking and Lewis acid-base interactions were involved in the high adsorption capacity of PZS@rGO. Furthermore, we also proposed the mechanism of TC adsorption via PZS@rGO.

Transiently thermoresponsive polymers and their applications in biomedicine

The focus of this review is on the class of transiently thermoresponsive polymers. These polymers are thermoresponsive, but gradually lose this property upon chemical transformation - often a hydrolysis reaction - in the polymer side chain or backbone. An overview of the different approaches used for the design of these polymers along with their physicochemical properties is given. Their amphiphilic properties and degradability into fully soluble compounds make this class of responsive polymers attractive for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Examples of these are also provided in this review.

In situ growth of a polyphosphazene nanoparticle coating on a honeycomb surface: facile formation of hierarchical structures for bioapplication

Cyclomatrix polyphosphazene nanoparticles are selectively grownin situon a honeycomb surface for the preparation of a hierarchical cell scaffold.

Polyphosphazenes containing lactic acid ester and methoxyethoxyethoxy side groups — Thermosensitive properties and, in vitro degradation, and biocompatibility

The thermosensitive and hydrolytic properties and biocompatibility of polyphosphazenes containing lactic acid ester and methoxyethoxyethoxy as co-substitutents were investigated. Depending on the type of lactic acid ester, these polyphosphazenes exhibited lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) (from 33 to 52 °C), which were almost concentration-independent in the range of 1.5 to 15 wt% of the polymers in aqueous solution. The salt effect on the thermosensitivity of the polymers was studied by measuring their LCST in aqueous solutions containing various salts. Bu4NBr and KI showed salting-in effects among the tested six salts, but NH4Br, NaBr, NH4Cl, and NaCl showed salting-out effects. Hydrolysis studies showed the rate of polymer hydrolysis decreased in the order of basic > acidic > neutral solution. The polyphosphazene with bulkier and more hydrophobic ester groups was more stable in hydrolysis. The results of a cytotoxicity study using an MTT assay method with HepG2 cell and K562/VCR cell showed that these polyphosphazenes and their degradation products were biocompatible. The thermoresponsiveness and biocompatibility of these biodegradable polyphosphazenes may favor the polymers as potential stimuli-responsive materials in biomedical applications.

Biomedical Applications of Biodegradable Polymers

Utilization of polymers as biomaterials has greatly impacted the advancement of modern medicine. Specifically, polymeric biomaterials that are biodegradable provide the significant advantage of being able to be broken down and removed after they have served their function. Applications are wide ranging with degradable polymers being used clinically as surgical sutures and implants. In order to fit functional demand, materials with desired physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties must be selected. Fortunately, a wide range of natural and synthetic degradable polymers has been investigated for biomedical applications with novel materials constantly being developed to meet new challenges. This review summarizes the most recent advances in the field over the past 4 years, specifically highlighting new and interesting discoveries in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Novel micelles from graft polyphosphazenes as potential anti-cancer drug delivery systems: drug encapsulation and in vitro evaluation

In this study, a new class of amphiphilic methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) grafted polyphosphazene with glycine ethyl ester side groups (PPP-g-PEG/GlyEt) was synthesized and characterized. An anti-cancer agent doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated into polymeric micelles derived from those copolymers, which exhibited considerably strong impact on micelle morphology: turned the rod-like and spherical drug free micelles into spheres and vesicles respectively. The in vitro release behavior of those drug-loaded micelles exhibits a sustained release manner and is affected by drug content. Cytotoxicity assay against adriamycin-resistant human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line showed that drug-loaded micelles based on PPP-g-PEG/GlyEt micelles can effectively suppress cell proliferation and the cytotoxicity was both time and concentration related, an enhanced cytotoxicity was observed either with increasing drug concentration or with prolonged incubation time. Moreover, flow cytometry results revealed a particle size dependency in cellular uptake of drug-loaded micelles. These findings suggest that the present copolymers can encapsulate water insoluble anti-cancer agents and contribute to improve drug sensitivity of adriamycin-resistant cell line.