Development of Micellar Novel Drug Carrier Utilizing Temperature-Sensitive Block Copolymers Containing Cyclodextrin Moieties

Engineering hydrogels with homogeneous mechanical properties for controlling stem cell lineage specification

Hydrogels are extensively used for cell culture, tissue engineering, and flexible electronics. In all of these applications, mechanical properties of hydrogels play an important role. Although tremendous studies have been devoted to optimizing the stiffness, strain, toughness, and dynamic mechanical response, the mechanical homogeneity of hydrogels has rarely been considered. By developing a general strategy to control the mechanical homogeneity of hydrogels, here we show that nanoscale variation in matrix stiffness can considerably affect the lineage specification of human embryonic stem cells. Inhomogeneous hydrogels suppress mechanotransduction and facilitate stemness maintenance, while homogenous hydrogels promote mechanotransduction and osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, engineering hydrogels with controllable and well-defined nanoscale homogeneity may have considerable implications in stem cell culture and regenerative medicine.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is mechanically inhomogeneous due to the presence of a wide spectrum of biomacromolecules and hierarchically assembled structures at the nanoscale. Mechanical inhomogeneity can be even more pronounced under pathological conditions due to injury, fibrogenesis, or tumorigenesis. Although considerable progress has been devoted to engineering synthetic hydrogels to mimic the ECM, the effect of the mechanical inhomogeneity of hydrogels has been widely overlooked. Here, we develop a method based on host–guest chemistry to control the homogeneity of maleimide–thiol cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels. We show that mechanical homogeneity plays an important role in controlling the differentiation or stemness maintenance of human embryonic stem cells. Inhomogeneous hydrogels disrupt actin assembly and lead to reduced YAP activation levels, while homogeneous hydrogels promote mechanotransduction. Thus, the method we developed to minimize the mechanical inhomogeneity of hydrogels may have broad applications in cell culture and tissue engineering.

Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosystems as Drug Carriers for Cancer Therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cyclodextrins have been of great interest as excellent candidates for fabricating versatile nano-drug delivery systems due to their commercial availability, easy functionalization, low immunogenicity, biocompatibility and safety. The possibility of reversible inclusion complex formation between cyclodextrins and various guest molecules in association with versatile exclusive properties of cyclodextrins offer a route towards the fabrication of highly sophisticated nanostructures with enormous potential for cancer treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The current review discusses important recent advances in the fabrication and development of cyclodextrin-based nanostructures for cancer therapy. Firstly, the formation of inclusion complexes between cyclodextrin derivatives and anticancer compounds, as well as their application, are summarized. Secondly, the cyclodextrins -based nanosystems including cyclodextrin-containing polymers, cyclodextrin-based supramolecular necklaces, which consist of polyrotaxanes and polypseudorotaxanes and cyclodextrin based hydrogels accompanied by their applications in cancer treatment are highlighted. In the end, the future perspective of this field is discussed.

CONCLUSION

Numerous investigations in this area pave the way for the flourishing of the next generation of nano-therapeutics towards enhanced cancer therapy.

Reduction-sensitive fluorescence enhanced polymeric prodrug nanoparticles for combinational photothermal-chemotherapy

In this study, a reduction-sensitive supramolecular polymeric drug delivery system was developed for combinational photothermal-chemotherapy of cancer. The multifunctional system was self-assembled by specific host-guest interactions between hydrophilic β-cyclodextrin functionalized hyaluronic acid and adamantane linked camptothecin/dye conjugate, where a near-infrared (NIR) absorbing dye IR825 was loaded. The hydrophilic hyaluronic acid shell endows the assembly with excellent colloidal stability and biocompatibility. The embedded disulfide bond in the camptothecin/dye conjugate was cleaved under reducing environment, leading to the release of the conjugated drug and the recovery of fluorescence emission. Meanwhile, the dye IR825 could efficiently transfer the absorbed light into local heat, making the nanoplatform an effective system for photothermal therapy. As evident by confocal microscopy images, the nanoplatform was quickly internalized by HeLa, MCF-7, and U14 cancer cells and released drug molecules inside the cells. In vitro cell viability assays confirmed that the cancer cells were efficiently killed by the treatment of the nanoplatform under NIR light irradiation. Significant tumor regression was also observed in the tumor-bearing mice upon the administration of the nanoplatform through combinational photothermal-chemotherapy therapy. Hence, this nanoplatform presented a great potential in site-specific combined photothermal-chemotherapy of tumor.

Multi-modulation for self-assemblies of amphiphilic rigid-soft compounds through alteration of solution polarity and temperature

A new class of small molecule-based amphiphilic carbazole-containing compounds has been designed and synthesized. Detailed analysis of the temperature- and solvent-dependent UV-vis absorption spectra has provided insights into the cooperative self-assembly mechanism of the carbazole-containing compounds. Interestingly, the prepared amphiphilic rigid-soft compounds were also found to display a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in aqueous solution, which is relatively less explored in small molecule-based materials, leading to promising candidates for the design of a new class of thermo-responsive materials.

Supramolecular Interaction-Assisted Fluorescence and Tunable Stimuli-Responsiveness of l-Phenylalanine-Based Polymers

Supramolecular host-guest interactions between randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RM β-CD) and side-chain phenylalanine (Phe) and Phe-Phe dipeptide-based homopolymers have been employed for the amplification of fluorescence emission of otherwise weakly fluorescent amino acid Phe. The host-guest complex has been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, two-dimensional rotating-frame overhauser spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. To gain insights into the origin of fluorescence in homopolymers, density functional theory calculations were performed where phenyl moieties inside the less polar core of β-CD were observed to form a π-π coupled complex resulting in an enhanced emission. Furthermore, the complex-forming ability of Phe, the guest molecule, has been employed in tuning the cloud point temperature (T_CP) of statistical copolymers derived from side-chain Phe/Phe-Phe-based methacrylate monomers and N-isopropylacrylamide. By varying the co-monomer feed ratios in the statistical copolymer and hence the concentration of RM β-CD throughout the polymer chain, host-guest interaction-assisted broad tunability in T_CP of the supramolecular polymeric complex has been achieved.

β-Cyclodextrin- and adamantyl-substituted poly(acrylate) self-assembling aqueous networks designed for controlled complexation and release of small molecules

Three aqueous self-assembling poly(acrylate) networks have been designed to gain insight into the factors controlling the complexation and release of small molecules within them. These networks are formed between 8.8% 6^A-(2-aminoethyl)amino-6^A-deoxy-6^A-β-cyclodextrin, β-CDen, randomly substituted poly(acrylate), PAAβ-CDen, and one of the 3.3% 1-(2-aminoethyl)amidoadamantyl, ADen, 3.0% 1-(6-aminohexyl)amidoadamantyl, ADhn, or 2.9% 1-(12-aminododecyl)amidoadamantyl, ADddn, randomly substituted poly(acrylate)s, PAAADen, PAAADhn and PAAADddn, respectively, such that the ratio of β-CDen to adamantyl substituents is ca. 3:1. The variation of the characteristics of the complexation of the dyes methyl red, methyl orange and ethyl orange in these three networks and by β-cyclodextrin, β-CD, and PAAβ-CDen alone provides insight into the factors affecting dye complexation. The rates of release of the dyes through a dialysis membrane from the three aqueous networks show a high dependence on host–guest complexation between the β-CDen substituents and the dyes as well as the structure and the viscosity of the network as shown by ITC, ¹H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy, and rheological studies. Such networks potentially form a basis for the design of controlled drug release systems.

Thermo-and pH-sensitive hydrogel membranes composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-hyaluronan for biomedical applications: Influence of hyaluronan incorporation on the membrane properties

Interpenetrating hydrogel membranes consisting of pH-sensitive hyaluronan (HA) and thermo-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) were synthesized using redox polymerization, followed by N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) and epichlorohydrin (EPI) were added as chemical crosslinkers. The interaction between membrane compositions has been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and discussed intensively. The result indicates that HA incorporation in membranes increase the gel fraction, swelling uptake, and the flexibility/elasticity of crosslinked membranes, however it reduced oppositely the mechanical elongation of membranes. PNIPAAm-HA hydrogels responded to both temperature and pH changes and the stimuli-responsiveness was reversible. However, in vitro bioevaluation results revealed that the released ampicillin during the burst release time was sharply influenced and increased with increasing HA contents in membranes; afterwards it became sustainable. Whereas, high HA contents in hydrogels unexpectedly impacted negatively on the cells viability, owing to the viscosity of cell culture media changed. A big resistance was observed against microbial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans in case of pure PNIPAAm hydrogel membranes without HA or ampicillin. However, HA incorporation or the loaded ampicillin in membranes showed unexpected easily microbial growth. The fast release performance with dual pH-thermo-sensitive hydrogels were suggested as promising materials for quick drug carrier in the biomedical field.

Dual-Responsive Bola-Type Supra-Amphiphile Constructed from Water-Soluble Pillar[5]arene and Naphthalimide-Containing Amphiphile for Intracellular Drug Delivery

Supramolecular construction of multistimuli platform for drug delivery is a challenging task. In this work, a pH and GSH (glutathione) dual-responsive bola-type supramolecular amphiphile was successfully fabricated by the complexation between a water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) and a bolaform naphthalimide guest (G) in water. The resulting bola-type amphiphile further self-assembled into supramolecular binary vesicles, which could be disassembled by low pH, a high-GSH-concentration environment, or both. Furthermore, the results of drug loading and releasing tests showed that doxorubicin (DOX), the hydrophobic anticancer drug, could be successfully encapsulated into the Stern region of the obtained supramolecular vesicles and generated the DOX-loaded vesicles with good drug-loading efficiency. Moreover, the obtained DOX-loaded vesicles displayed efficient and rapid DOX release at a simulated tumor microenvironment with low-pH or excess-GSH conditions or both. Significantly, cytotoxicity experiments revealed that the DOX-loaded supramolecular vesicles could obviously improve the anticancer efficiency of free DOX for tumor cells while remarkably reducing its side effects for normal cells. In vitro cellular uptake and subcellular localization assays further proved that these smart drug nanovehicles, entering cancer cells mainly via endocytosis, could cause excellent drug accumulation in cancer cells. The present study provides a successful example with which to rational design an effective bola-type stimuli-responsive supramolecular nanocarrier, which might have wide potential applications in the construction of various controlled drug-delivery systems.

Rational design of soluble and clickable polymers prepared by conventional free radical polymerization of acetylene-functionalized acrylate

Soluble and clickable acetylene-functionalized polyacrylates were synthesized via conventional free radical polymerization of a rationally designed tertiary propargylic acrylate.

Carbohydrate-based amphiphilic nano delivery systems for cancer therapy

Nanoparticles (NPs) are novel drug delivery systems that have been attracting more and more attention in recent years, and have been used for the treatment of cancer, infection, inflammation and other diseases. Among the numerous classes of materials employed for constructing NPs, organic polymers are outstanding due to the flexibility of design and synthesis and the ease of modification and functionalization. In particular, NP based amphiphilic polymers make a great contribution to the delivery of poorly-water soluble drugs. For example, natural, biocompatible and biodegradable products like polysaccharides are widely used as building blocks for the preparation of such drug delivery vehicles. This review will detail carbohydrate based amphiphilic polymeric systems for cancer therapy. Specifically, it focuses on the nature of the polymer employed for the preparation of targeted nanocarriers, the synthetic methods, as well as strategies for the application and evaluation of biological activity. Applications of the amphiphilic polymer systems include drug delivery, gene delivery, photosensitizer delivery, diagnostic imaging and specific ligand-assisted cellular uptake. As a result, a thorough understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and biological properties facilitate the optimal design and rational clinical application of the resulting carbohydrate based nano delivery systems for cancer therapy.

The dual-role of Pt(iv) complexes as active drug and crosslinker for micelles based on β-cyclodextrin grafted polymer

Amphiphilic block copolymer based on poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (POEGMEMA) and a block with pendant cyclodextrin units were self-assembled into micelles in the presence of the hydrophobic bile acid-based Pt(IV) drug, which also acted as crosslinker.

Block versus Random Amphiphilic Glycopolymer Nanopaticles as Glucose-Responsive Vehicles

To explore the effect of polymer structure on their self-assembled aggregates and their unique characteristics, this study was devoted to developing a series of amphiphilic block and random phenylboronic acid-based glycopolymers by RAFT polymerization. The amphiphilic glycopolymers were successfully self-assembled into spherically shaped nanoparticles with narrow size distribution in aqueous solution. For block and random copolymers with similar monomer compositions, block copolymer nanoparticles exhibited a more regular transmittance change with the increasing glucose level, while a more evident variation of size and quicker decreasing tendency in I/I0 behavior in different glucose media were observed for random copolymer nanoparticles. Cell viability of all the polymer nanoparticles investigated by MTT assay was higher than 80%, indicating that both block and random copolymers had good cytocompatibility. Insulin could be encapsulated into both nanoparticles, and insulin release rate for random glycopolymer was slightly quicker than that for the block ones. We speculate that different chain conformations between block and random glycopolymers play an important role in self-assembled nanoaggregates and underlying glucose-sensitive behavior.

The effect of Z-group modification on the RAFT polymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone controlled by “switchable” N-pyridyl-functional dithiocarbamates

The polymerization ofN-vinylpyrrolidone was examined with a series of cyanomethylN-aryl-N-pyridyldithiocarbamates varying in the substituent at the 4-position on the phenyl ring.

A discrete amphiphilic organoplatinum(II) metallacycle with tunable lower critical solution temperature behavior

Oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG)-decorated supramolecular assemblies are distinguished by their neutral character and macroscopic temperature-sensitive phase transition behavior. OEG functionalization is an emerging strategy to obtain thermoresponsive macrocyclic amphiphiles, although known methods organize the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments by covalent bonding. Coordination-driven self-assembly offers an alternative route for organizing OEG-functionalized precursors into nanoscopic architectures, resulting in well-defined metallacycle cores surrounded by hydrophilic scaffolds to impart overall amphiphilic character. Here a tri(ethylene glycol)-functionalized thermosensitive amphiphilic metallacycle was prepared with high efficiency by means of the directional-bonding approach. The ensembles thus formed showed good lower critical solution temperature behavior with a highly sensitive phase separation and excellent reversibility. Moreover, the clouding point decreased with increasing metallacycle concentration and addition of K(+).

Engineering responsive polymer building blocks with host-guest molecular recognition for functional applications

CONSPECTUS: All living organisms and soft matter are intrinsically responsive and adaptive to external stimuli. Inspired by this fact, tremendous effort aiming to emulate subtle responsive features exhibited by nature has spurred the invention of a diverse range of responsive polymeric materials. Conventional stimuli-responsive polymers are constructed via covalent bonds and can undergo reversible or irreversible changes in chemical structures, physicochemical properties, or both in response to a variety of external stimuli. They have been imparted with a variety of emerging applications including drug and gene delivery, optical sensing and imaging, diagnostics and therapies, smart coatings and textiles, and tissue engineering. On the other hand, in comparison with molecular chemistry held by covalent bonds, supramolecular chemistry built on weak and reversible noncovalent interactions has emerged as a powerful and versatile strategy for materials fabrication due to its facile accessibility, extraordinary reversibility and adaptivity, and potent applications in diverse fields. Typically involving more than one type of noncovalent interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, hydrophobic association, electrostatic interactions, van der Waals forces, and π-π stacking), host-guest recognition refers to the formation of supramolecular inclusion complexes between two or more entities connected together in a highly controlled and cooperative manner. The inherently reversible and adaptive nature of host-guest molecular recognition chemistry, stemming from multiple noncovalent interactions, has opened up a new platform to construct novel types of stimuli-responsive materials. The introduction of host-guest chemistry not only enriches the realm of responsive materials but also confers them with promising new applications. Most intriguingly, the integration of responsive polymer building blocks with host-guest recognition motifs will endow the former with further broadened responsiveness to external stimuli and accordingly more sophisticated functions. In this Account, we summarize recent progress in the field of responsive polymeric materials containing host-guest recognition motifs with selected examples and highlight their versatile functional applications, whereas small molecule-oriented host-guest supramolecular systems are excluded. We demonstrate how the introduction of host-guest chemistry into conventional polymer systems can modulate their responsive modes to external stimuli. Moreover, the responsive specificity and selectivity of polymeric systems can also be inherited from the host-guest recognition motifs, and these features provide extra advantages in terms of function integration. The following discussions are categorized in terms of design and functions, namely, host-guest chemistry toward the fabrication of responsive polymers and assemblies, optical sensing and imaging, drug and gene delivery, and self-healing materials. A concluding remark on future developments is also presented. We wish this prosperous field would incur more original and evolutionary ideas and benefit fundamental research and our daily life in a more convenient way.

Effects of bile salts and divalent cations on the adsorption of norfloxacin by agricultural soils

The effects of bile salts (sodium cholate and sodium deoxycholate, 0-20 mmol/L), divalent cations (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), 0-20 mmol/L) or pH (3.0-10.0) on the adsorption of norfloxacin by three selected soils (Paddy_H, Paddy_G and Red_J) were systematically studied. Soil adsorption of norfloxacin follows a pseudo second-order kinetics model, and the maximum adsorption capacity has been determined from the nonlinear fit of the Langmuir isotherm model to be 88.8, 88.1 and 63.0 μmol/g for the adsorption onto Paddy_H, Paddy_G and Red_J, respectively. The results indicate that norfloxacin has a high adsorption affinity for the agricultural soils tested and that the organic content of these soils have at least a slight influence on this adsorption. The adsorption of norfloxacin to soils was strongly dependent on pH and exhibited a maximum at approximately pH 6. The presence of divalent cations prominently suppressed the adsorption of norfloxacin by paddy soils, which followed an order of Cu(2+) > Mg(2+) > Ca(2+) > Zn(2+), and by red soil, which followed an order of Cu(2+) > Zn(2+) > Ca(2+) > Mg(2+). The adsorption of norfloxacin (by the soils studied) sharply decreased as the amount of bile salts was increased. For uncharged norfloxacin at environmentally relevant pH values, such factors as soil type, exogenous divalent cations and macromolecules significantly altered the environmental fate and transport of norfloxacin between aquatic and soil interfaces.

pH-Responsive Supramolecular Control of Polymer Thermoresponsive Behavior by Pillararene-Based Host-Guest Interactions

We demonstrate precise control of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior of a thermoresponsive polymer in water by pillararene-based host-guest interactions. The LCST value of the polymer increases upon the stepwise addition of either of the two pillararene hosts. On account of the pH-responsiveness of the pillararene-based host-guest interactions, the recovery of the LCST is achieved by treatment with acid, reflecting the pH-responsive supramolecular control of the LCST.

Well-defined “clickable” copolymers prepared via one-pot synthesis

Novel propargyl-functional block copolymers were prepared via a fast and easy one-pot synthesis without the need to protect the propargyl functionality.

Polymeric redox-responsive delivery systems bearing ammonium salts cross-linked via disulfides

A redox-responsive polycationic system was synthesized via copolymerization of N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEAAm) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). N,N'-bis(4-chlorobutanoyl)cystamine was used as disulfide-containing cross-linker to form networks by the quaternization of tertiary amine groups. The insoluble cationic hydrogels become soluble by reduction of disulfide to mercaptanes by use of dithiothreitol (DTT), tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) or cysteamine, respectively. The soluble polymeric system can be cross-linked again by using oxygen or hydrogen peroxide under basic conditions. The redox-responsive polymer networks can be used for molecular inclusion and controlled release. As an example, phenolphthalein, methylene blue and reactive orange 16 were included into the network. After treatment with DTT a release of the dye could be recognized. Physical properties of the cross-linked materials, e.g., glass transition temperature (T g), swelling behavior and cloud points (T c) were investigated. Redox-responsive behavior was further analyzed by rheological measurements.

Cyclodextrin-based supramolecular systems for drug delivery: recent progress and future perspective

The excellent biocompatibility and unique inclusion capability as well as powerful functionalization capacity of cyclodextrins and their derivatives make them especially attractive for engineering novel functional materials for biomedical applications. There has been increasing interest recently to fabricate supramolecular systems for drug and gene delivery based on cyclodextrin materials. This review focuses on state of the art and recent advances in the construction of cyclodextrin-based assemblies and their applications for controlled drug delivery. First, we introduce cyclodextrin materials utilized for self-assembly. The fabrication technologies of supramolecular systems including nanoplatforms and hydrogels as well as their applications in nanomedicine and pharmaceutical sciences are then highlighted. At the end, the future directions of this field are discussed.

Facile preparation of well-defined near-monodisperse chitosan/sodium alginate polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (CS/SAL NPs) via ionotropic gelification: a suitable technique for drug delivery systems

Polymeric nanoparticles have emerged as a promising approach for drug delivery systems. We prepared chitosan (CS)/sodium alginate (SAL) polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (CS/SAL NPs) via a simple and mild ionic gelation method by adding a CS solution to a SAL solution, and investigated the effects of molecular weight of the added CS, and the SAL:CS mass ratio on the formation of the polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles. The well-defined CS/SAL NPs with near-monodisperse particle size of about 160 nm exhibited a pH stable structure, and pH responsive properties with a negatively or positively charged surface. The so-called "electrostatic sponge" structure of the polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles enhanced their drug-loading capacity towards the differently charged model drug molecules, and favored controlled release. We also found that the drug-loading capacity was influenced by the nature of the drugs and the drug-loading media, while drug release was affected by the solubility of the drugs in the drug-releasing media. The biocompatibility and biodegradability of the polyelectrolytes in the polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles were maintained by ionic interactions. These results indicate that CS/SAL NPs can represent a useful technique for pH-responsive drug delivery systems.

Ionic and Molecular Liquids: Working Together for Robust Engineering

Because of their outstanding versatility, room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are utilized in an ever increasing number of novel and fascinating applications, making them the Holy Grail of modern materials science. In this Perspective, we address the fundamental research and prospective applications of RTILs in combination with molecular liquids, concentrating on three significant areas: (1) the use of molecular liquids to decrease the viscosity of RTILs; (2) the role of RTIL micelle formation in water and organic solvents; and (3) the ability of RTILs to adsorb pollutant gases. Current achievements are examined, and future directions for the potential uses of RTILs are outlined.

Photoreversible switching of the lower critical solution temperature in a photoresponsive host-guest system of pillar[6]arene with triethylene oxide substituents and an azobenzene derivative

A new water-soluble thermoresponsive pillar[6]arene with triethylene oxide groups was synthesized. The pillar[6]arene showed lower critical solution temperature behavior in aqueous solution. Its clouding point was photoreversibly switched based on a photoresponsive host-guest system. The trans form of an azobenzene guest formed a stable 1:1 complex with the pillar[6]arene. Complexation increased the clouding point. Irradiation with UV light induced a conformation change for the azobenzene guest from the trans to cis form, and dethreading occurred because of a size mismatch between the cis form and the pillar[6]arene cavity. This dethreading decreased the clouding point. The photoresponsive host-guest system was reversible, and the clouding point could be switched by alternating irradiation with UV or visible light. We demonstrated photoresponsive reversible clear-to-turbid and turbid-to-clear transitions for the solution based on the reversible switching of the clouding point using the photosensitive host-guest system.

Adsorption of norfloxacin onto titanium oxide: effect of drug carrier and dissolved humic acid

Titanium dioxide is widely used as an effective catalyst in wastewater treatment. The effects of drug carriers (cyclodextrins, 100μM) or dissolved humic acids (0-50mg/L) or pH (3.0-11.0) on adsorption of norfloxacin to two TiO(2) (Hombikat UV-100 and Anatase TiO(2)) surfaces were systematically studied. Norfloxacin shows high adsorption affinity to TiO(2) surface. Specific surface area of TiO(2) shows great influence on norfloxacin adsorption especially in acidic solutions. The effect of pH on norfloxacin adsorption originates from the changes of TiO(2)'s surface charge and speciation of norfloxacin. The presence of humic acids (50mg/L) suppresses the adsorption of norfloxacin onto Hombikat UV-100 and Anatase TiO(2) prominently. The co-effect of heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (methyl-β-CD) and humic acid is similar to the solo effect of humic acid on the adsorption of norfloxacin onto Hombikat UV-100, while the co-effect shows a more retardation effect on the adsorption of norfloxacin onto Anatase TiO(2). Humic acid and β-CD show a synergetic depressed effect on the adsorption of norfloxacin onto both TiO(2) surfaces. These results show that both aquatic solution chemistry and drug carrier are important to norfloxacin adsorption on TiO(2), which could alter the environmental fate and transport of norfloxacin.