Construction of β-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular hyperbranched polymers self-assemblies using AB2-type macromonomer and their application in the drug delivery field

Despite some efforts have been made in the research of supramolecular hyperbranched polymers (SHPs) self-assemblies, the study which has not been consideration to date is the influence of incoming stimuli-responsive polymer chain on their self-assembly property undergo outer stimuli. The introduction of stimuli-responsive segments which could maintain their hydrophilic property are expected to affect the self-assembly behaviour of SHPs and expand their further biomedical application. In this paper, AB₂-type macromolecular monomer, LA-(CD-PDMA)₂, which consisted one lithocholic acid (LA) and two β-cyclodextrin terminated poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) segments (CD-PDMA) was synthesized. LA-(CD-PDMA)₂ based SHP were obtained based on the host-guest inclusion interactions of CD/LA moietes and with PDMA as pH-responsive hydrophilic chains. As a control to study the influence of incoming PDMA chains, both LA-(CD-PDMA)₂ based SHPs-1 and LA-CD₂ based SHPs-2 self-assemblies were comparatively investiged through 2D ¹H NMR ROESY, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results suggested that except for the higher drug loading efficiency LA-(CD-PDMA)₂ based SHPs-1 pocessing, the release rates of SHPs-1 increased notably at pH 5.0 than that of pH 7.4 due to the repulsion and stretch of protonated PDMA chains while the release rates of SHPs-2 showed no obvious difference. Finally, basic cell experiments demonstrated that the SHPs based self-assemblies can be internalized into cancer cells, indicating their potential application in the drug delivery field.

Chiral helical substituted polyacetylene grafted on hollow polymer particles: preparation and enantioselective adsorption towards cinchona alkaloids

Hollow polymer particles tethering chiral helical polymer chains and functional carboxyl groups were prepared and applied in enantioselective adsorption.

Red-light-responsive molecular encapsulation in water: an ideal combination of photochemistry and host–guest interaction

Red-light-responsive CB[8]-mediated host–guest system featured with high photoisomerization ratio was fabricated which could be used as molecular container with red-light-activated release ability.

Hollow polymer nanocapsules: synthesis, properties, and applications

Hollow polymer nanocapsules (HPNs) have gained tremendous interest in recent years due to their numerous desirable properties compared to their solid counterparts.

Preparation of morphology-controllable PGMA-DVB microspheres by introducing Span 80 into seed emulsion polymerization

Microporous, hollow, or macroporous polymer spheres were prepared by a seed emulsion polymerisation method. Different from the conventional seeded emulsion polymerization, the sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) was added to the seeded emulsion polymerization. In this study, the monodisperse PS seeds prepared by dispersion polymerization were swelled by dibutyl phthalate (DBP), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), divinylbenzene (DVB) and Span 80 successively. The effect of the amount of Span 80 on the morphology of microspheres was investigated. As different amount of Span 80 was added to the mixture, the poly(glycidyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene) (PGMA-DVB) microspheres showed a variety of morphologies containing microporous, hollow, and macroporous structure. In addition, uniform hollow particles with different pore size can be obtained through adjusting the amount of Span 80.

The obtained PGMA-DVB microspheres showed a variety of morphologies by adjusting the amount of Span 80 in the seeded emulsion polymerization.

Synergistic and targeted drug delivery based on nano-CeO2 capped with galactose functionalized pillar[5]arene via host-guest interactions

A smart drug delivery system based on porous CeO₂ nano-rods (CeONRs) capped with galactose functionalized pillar[5]arene via host-guest interactions has been constructed, which showed GSH-responsiveness, synergism with anticancer drugs and cancer targeting ability resulting from its disulphide unit, ceria properties and galactose units, respectively.

Supramolecular Helical Nanofibers Formed by Achiral Monomers and Their Reversible Sol-Gel Transition

Well-defined supramolecular helical nanofibers have been constructed by a rationally designed achiral monomer in aqueous solution based on the 1:2 host-guest combination between cucurbit[8]uril and a 4,4'-bipyridin-1-ium chloride (BPY⁺ ) salt derivative. The formed nanostructures could be adjusted by varying the concentration of monomer from helical nanofibers to a pH-responsive hydrogel.

A reusable supramolecular platform for the specific capture and release of proteins and bacteria

A re-usable supramolecular platform with the capability of high-efficiency capture and on-demand release of specific proteins and bacteria was developed.

Design and construction of self-hidden and pH-reversed targeting drug delivery nanovehicles via noncovalent interactions to overcome drug resistance

A convenient one-step method was used to construct self-hidden and pH-reversed targeting drug delivery nanovehicles using the host–guest interaction between β-CD and Ad, and borate formation between PBA and serinol.

Novel multifunctionalized peryleneteracarboxylic/amine supramolecules for electrochemical assay

In this work, a series of novel multifunctionalized peryleneteracarboxylic supramolecules were synthesized based on hydrogen bonding interactions between 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid (PTCA) and amines, which possess large specific surface area, good membrane-forming properties and high stability. Importantly, an interesting phenomenon was found in that these series of supramolecules could conciliate disorderly redox peaks of PTCA and result in a pair of well-defined redox peaks, which were able to act as redox carriers for charge-generation and electron-transportion. And the probable mechanism for this phenomenon was discussed for the first time in detail through the integration of theoretical with practical research. To further reveal the advantages of these novel multifunctionalized supramolecule nanomaterials, PTCA/triethylamine (PTCA/TEA) was chosen as the best candidate for a redox carrier to participate in a "signal-on" aptasensor for thrombin (TB) detection by employing Fe₃O₄ magnetic beads (MBs) as a good enzyme mimic to catalyze the PTCA/TEA for signal amplification. As a result, a wide linear detection range of 0.0001-50 nM is acquired with a relatively low detection limit of 0.05 pM. And the proposed aptasensor exhibited good specificity and acceptable reproducibility and stability. After all, the explorations between PTCA and amines would set up a meaningful basis in seeking multifunctionalized supramolecule nanomaterials based on PTCA for extending the application of PTCA in a wider range of fields, and exploring the essential reason for the referred peculiar phenomenon for PTCA.

Tailor-Made Temperature-Sensitive Micelle for Targeted and On-Demand Release of Anticancer Drugs

The design of nanomedicines from the tuned architecture polymer is a leading object of immense research in recent years. Here, smart thermoresponsive micelles were prepared from novel architecture four-arm star block copolymers, namely, pentaerythritol polycaprolactone-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and pentaerythritol polycaprolactone-b-poly(N-vinylcaprolactam). The polymers were synthesized and tagged with folic acid (FA) to render them as efficient cancer cell targeting cargos. FA-conjugated block copolymers were self-assembled to a nearly spherical (ranging from 15 to 170 nm) polymeric micelle (FA-PM) with a sufficiently lower range of critical micelle concentration (0.59 × 10(-2) to 1.52 × 10(-2) mg/mL) suitable for performing as an efficient drug carrier. The blocks show lower critical solution temperature (LCST) ranging from 30 to 39 °C with high DOX-loading content (24.3%, w/w) as compared to that reported for a linear polymer in the contemporary literature. The temperature-induced reduction in size (57%) of the FA-PM enables a high rate of DOX release (78.57% after 24 h) at a temperature above LCST. The DOX release rate has also been tuned by on-demand administration of temperature. The in vitro biocompatibilities of the blank and DOX-loaded FA-PMs have been studied by the MTT assay. The cellular uptake study proves selective internalization of the FA-PM into cancerous cells (C6 glioma) compared that into normal cells (HaCaT). In vivo administration of the DOX-loaded FA-PMs into the C6 glioma rat tumor model resulted in significant accumulation in tumor sites, which drastically inhibited the tumor volume by ∼83.9% with respect to control without any significant systemic toxicity.

Photoresponsive amphiphilic azobenzene–PEG self-assembles to form supramolecular nanostructures for drug delivery applications

Self-assembled smart nanostructures have emerged as controlled and site-specific systems for drug delivery applications.

Synthesis and thermo-responsive self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic copolymer β-CD–(PCL–P(MEO2MA-co-PEGMA))21 for the controlled intracellular delivery of doxorubicin

Well-defined amphiphilic β-cyclodextrin star-shaped copolymers with poly(ε-caprolactone)–poly(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate) (β-CD–(PCL–P(MEO₂MA-co-PEGMA))₂₁ were synthesized via (ROP) and (ATRP).

Optically active hollow nanoparticles constructed by chirally helical substituted polyacetylene

Hollow nanoparticles were constructed by chirally helical substituted polyacetylene and they demonstrated intriguing optical activity and high stability.