Development and performance evaluation of self-assembled pH-responsive curcumin-bacterial exopolysaccharide micellar conjugates as bioactive delivery system

The present study reports the synthesis of micellar conjugates, wherein curcumin (Cur), a bioactive compound with poor bioavailability, was covalently bonded to a bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS). These conjugates were synthesized by utilizing succinic acid that linked Cur to the pyranosyl moiety of the EPS. The Cur-EPS conjugates appeared as spherical micelles in aqueous solution and were found to have an average hydrodynamic diameter of 254 ± 2.7 nm. The micellar conjugates showed superior stability than Cur as evident from their negative surface charge (-27 ± 1.8 mV) and low polydispersity index (PDI) (0.33 ± 0.04). The in vitro studies on release kinetics helped elucidate the pH-responsive characteristics of the Cur-EPS conjugate, as 87.50 ± 1.45 % of Cur was released at an acidic pH of 5.6, in contrast to 30.15 ± 2.61 % at systemic pH of 7.4 at 150 h. The conjugates were hemocompatible and exhibited cytotoxic effect against the osteosarcoma cell line (MG-63) after 48 h treatment. They also demonstrated superior antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activities in comparison to free Cur. Therefore, the Cur-EPS conjugates have potential pharmaceutical applications as therapeutic biomaterial that can be applied as a drug delivery system.

Capra cartilage-derived peptide delivery via carbon nano-dots for cartilage regeneration

Targeted delivery of site-specific therapeutic agents is an effective strategy for osteoarthritis treatment. The lack of blood vessels in cartilage makes it difficult to deliver therapeutic agents like peptides to the defect area. Therefore, nucleus-targeting zwitterionic carbon nano-dots (CDs) have immense potential as a delivery vehicle for effective peptide delivery to the cytoplasm as well as nucleus. In the present study, nucleus-targeting zwitterionic CDs have been synthesized as delivery vehicle for peptides while also working as nano-agents towards optical monitoring of cartilage healing. The functional groups of zwitterion CDs were introduced by a single-step microwave assisted oxidation procedure followed by COL II peptide conjugation derived from Capra auricular cartilage through NHS/EDC coupling. The peptide-conjugated CDs (PCDs) allows cytoplasmic uptake within a short period of time (∼30 m) followed by translocation to nucleus after ∼24 h. Moreover, multicolor fluorescence of PCDs improves (blue, green, and read channel) its sensitivity as an optical code providing a compelling solution towards enhanced non-invasive tracking system with multifunctional properties. The PCDs-based delivery system developed in this study has exhibited superior ability to induce ex-vivo chondrogenic differentiation of ADMSCs as compared to bare CDs. For assessment of cartilage regeneration potential, pluronic F-127 based PCDs hydrogel was injected to rabbit auricular cartilage defects and potential healing was observed after 60 days. Therefore, the results confirm that PCDs could be an ideal alternate for multimodal therapeutic agents.

Magnolol and Temozolomide exhibit a synergistic anti-glioma activity through MGMT inhibition

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the leading chemotherapeutic agent used for glioma therapy due to its good oral absorption and blood-brain barrier permeability. However, its anti-glioma efficacy may be limited due to its adverse effects and resistance development. O6-Methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT), an enzyme associated with TMZ resistance, is activated via the NF-κB pathway, which is found to be upregulated in glioma. TMZ also upregulates NF-κB signaling like many other alkylating agents. Magnolol (MGN), a natural anti-cancer agent, has been reported to inhibit NF-κB signaling in multiple myeloma, cholangiocarcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. MGN has already shown promising results in anti-glioma therapy. However, the synergistic action of TMZ and MGN has not been explored. Therefore, we investigated the effect of TMZ and MGN treatment in glioma and observed their synergistic pro-apoptotic action in both in vitro and in vivo glioma models. To explore the mechanism of this synergistic action, we found that MGN inhibits MGMT enzyme both in vitro and in vivo glioma. Next, we established the link between NF-κB signaling and MGN-induced MGMT inhibition in glioma. MGN inhibits the phosphorylation of p65, a subunit of NF-κB, and its nuclear translocation to block NF-κB pathway activation in glioma. MGN-induced NF-κB inhibition results in the transcriptional inhibition of MGMT in glioma. TMZ and MGN combinatorial treatment also impedes p65 nuclear translocation to inhibit MGMT in glioma. We observed a similar effect of TMZ and MGN treatment in the rodent glioma model. Thus, we concluded that MGN potentiates TMZ-induced apoptosis in glioma by inhibiting NF-κB pathway-mediated MGMT activation.

Magnolol induces cytotoxic autophagy in glioma by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Glioma is difficult-to-treat because of its infiltrative nature and the presence of the blood-brain barrier. Temozolomide is the only FDA-approved drug for its management. Therefore, finding a novel chemotherapeutic agent for glioma is of utmost importance. Magnolol, a neolignan, has been known for its apoptotic role in glioma. In this work, we have explored a novel anti-glioma mechanism of Magnolol associated with its role in autophagy modulation. We found increased expression levels of Beclin-1, Atg5-Atg12, and LC3-II and lower p62 expression in Magnolol-treated glioma cells. PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins were also downregulated in Magnolol-treated glioma cells. Next, we treated the glioma cells with Insulin, a stimulator of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, to confirm that Magnolol induced autophagy by inhibiting this pathway. Insulin reversed the effect on Magnolol-mediated autophagy induction. We also established the same in in vivo glioma model where Magnolol showed an anti-glioma effect by inducing autophagy. To confirm the cytotoxic effect of Magnolol-induced autophagy, we used Chloroquine, a late-stage autophagy inhibitor. Chloroquine efficiently reversed the anti-glioma effects of Magnolol both in vitro and in vivo. Our study revealed the cytotoxic effect of Magnolol-induced autophagy in glioma, which was not previously reported. Additionally, Magnolol showed no toxicity in non-cancerous cell lines as well as rat organs. Thus, we concluded that Magnolol is an excellent candidate for developing new therapeutic strategies for glioma management.

Role of Surface Oxygen Vacancies and Oxygen Species on CuO Nanostructured Surfaces in Model Catalytic Oxidation and Reductions: Insight into the Structure-Activity Relationship Toward the Performance

Defect engineering, such as modification of oxygen vacancy density, has been considered as an effective approach to tailor the catalytic performance on transition-metal oxide nanostructured surfaces. The role of oxygen vacancies (O_V) on the surface of the as-prepared, zinnia-shaped morphology of CuO nanostructures and their marigold forms on calcination at 800 °C has been investigated through the study of model catalytic reactions of reduction of 4-nitrophenol and aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The O_V on the surfaces of different morphologies of CuO have been identified and quantified through Rietveld analysis and HRTEM, EPR, and XPS studies. The structure-activity relationships between surface oxygen vacancies (O_V) and catalytic performance have been systematically investigated. The enhanced catalytic performance of the cubic CuO nanostructures compared to their as-prepared forms has been attributed to the formation of surface oxygen species on the reactive and dominant (110) surface that has low oxygen vacancy formation energy. The mechanistic role of surface oxygen species in the studied reactions has been quantitatively correlated with the catalytic activity of the different morphological forms of the CuO nanostructures.

Histidine-Based Reduction-Sensitive Star-Polymer Inclusion Complex as a Potential DNA Carrier: Biophysical Studies Using Time-Resolved Fluorescence as an Important Tool

An ideal DNA carrier is one that is capable of effectively condensing DNA into complexes of optimum size and shape, preventing premature decomplexation in the bloodstream and efficiently releasing the DNA into affected cells. In this context, we have developed a novel β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-based four-arm star-shaped polymer inclusion complex (IC) with arms made of a poly(l-histidine)-based cationic polymer. The polymer was well characterized by gel permeation chromatography, NMR, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We have also investigated its DNA complexation and release properties. Bisadamantane containing a disulfide bond was synthesized that linked two such poly(l-histidine)-containing β-CD units via guest-host interactions to prepare the presented IC. Besides using the conventional steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, the ability of this IC to condense DNA to form polyplexes and their release behavior have been established by using the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy technique. Thiazole orange (TO) was used for the first time as a DNA-intercalating dye in the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic study. The superior DNA-condensing ability of the IC as compared to that of the precursor two-arm β-CD and linear poly(l-histidine) of a comparable molecular weight, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, atomic force microscopy, and gel electrophoresis studies, could be attributed to a higher charge density. The IC-DNA polyplexes were found to be stable in a medium similar to an extracellular fluid but could efficiently release DNA in the presence of 10 mM glutathione, a concentration prevalent in the intracellular fluid of cancer cells. Hence, here, we have successfully demonstrated the synthesis of a novel biocompatible star-shaped IC with the potential to carry and release DNA in cancer cells and also established the feasibility of using the time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic technique to study the complexation behavior of the polycation and DNA using TO as a DNA-intercalating dye.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-Based Polymers as Additive for Rapid Generation of Spheroid via Hanging Drop Method

Multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) mimics microenvironment for tumor formation and provides predictive insight for in vivo tests. The hanging drop (HD) method of spheroid generation is cost effective, but it is limited by a long time duration for spheroid development and a low rate of formation of larger spheroids. Toward addressing those limitations, thermoresponsive copolymers with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (p(NIPA)) backbone are developed, to be used as additives in the MCTS formation via HD method. Upon investigation it is found that in the presence of the polymer, robust and compact spheroids are formed in a short duration of 48 h. Larger spheroids (350-600 µm) can be formed by increasing the number of cells. Spheroids are characterized for their 3D shape and different cellular layers, and drug uptake study is done to prove the efficacy of the spheroids generated in drug screening.

Rh(iii)-Catalyzed tandem indole C4-arylamination/annulation with anthranils: access to indoloquinolines and their application in photophysical studies

An efficient Rh(iii)-catalyzed straightforward strategy was developed for the site-selective tandem C4 arylamination/annulation of indole derivatives with anthranil to provide indoloquinoline moieties.

Redox-Responsive Efficient DNA and Drug Co-Release from Micelleplexes Formed from a Fluorescent Cationic Amphiphilic Polymer

Cationic polymeric micelles that are capable of co-releasing drugs and DNA into cells have attracted considerable interest as combination chemotherapy in cancer treatment. To this effect, we have presently developed a cationic fluorescent amphiphilic copolymer, poly(N,N'-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate)-b-(poly(2-(methacryloyl)oxyethyl-2'-hydroxyethyl disulfidecholate)-r-2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl-1-pyrenebutyrate) [PDMAEMA-b-(PMAODCA-r-PPBA)], having pendent cholate moiety linked through a redox-responsive disulfide bond. The amphiphilic nature of the copolymer facilitated the formation of cationic micellar nanoparticles in aqueous medium. The self-assembly of the copolymer to form micelles and subsequent destabilization of the micelles in the presence of glutathione (GSH) was monitored by the change in the fluorescence characteristic of the attached pyrene resulting from alteration in the hydrophobicity of its neighborhood. These micellar nanoparticles were subsequently utilized in encapsulating hydrophobic anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), in the core of the micelles, whereas the cationic shell of the micelles was used for complexation with oppositely charged DNA to form micelleplexes. Gel retardation assays, ethidium bromide (EB) exclusion assay, and DLS and AFM studies confirmed the successful binding of the cationic micelles with DNA. The binding capability of the micelles was higher than corresponding cationic linear PDMAEMA. The kinetics of the simultaneous release of encapsulated DOX and complexed DNA in the presence of glutathione was thoroughly studied using various techniques. All the experiments showed fast and efficient release of DOX and DNA from DOX-loaded micelleplexes. The study implies that these redox-responsive cationic micelles may open up new opportunities toward co-delivery of DNA and anticancer drugs in combinatorial therapy.

Prospect of natural products in glioma: A novel avenue in glioma management

Glioma is one of the most perplexing cancers because of its infiltrating nature, molecular signaling, and location in central nervous system. Blood-brain barrier acts as a natural barrier to the glioma making it difficult to access by conventional chemotherapy. Clinicians are using natural compounds or their derivatives for several diseases including different cancers. However, the feasibility of using natural compounds in glioma is not explored in details. Natural compounds can act over a wide variety of signaling pathways such as survival and metabolic pathways and induce cell death. Some of the natural agents have additional benefits of crossing biological barriers such as blood-brain barrier with ease having few or no impact on the surrounding healthy cells. All of these benefits make natural compounds a prospective candidate for the glioma management. This article evaluates the benefits of using natural compounds for glioma therapy and their possible mechanism of actions. We have discussed the natural compounds assessed currently for glioma therapy and proposed a few novel natural compounds with potential antiglioma effect based on their mechanism of action.

Redox-Responsive Core-Cross-Linked Block Copolymer Micelles for Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Cells

Success of chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer has been often inhibited by multidrug resistance (MDR) of the cancer cells. There is a clear need to generate strategies to overcome this resistance. In this work, we have developed redox-responsive and core-cross-linked micellar nanocarriers using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoate) diblock copolymers (PEG-b-PLAHEMA) with tunable swelling properties for the delivery of drugs toward drug-sensitive MDA-MB-231 and drug-resistant MDA-MB-231 (231R) cancer cells. PEG-b-PLAHEMA containing varying number of 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoate (LAHEMA) units were synthesized by employing the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization technique. The block copolymer self-assembly, cross-linking induced by reduction, and de-cross-linking triggered time-dependent controlled swelling of micelles were studied using dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity, cellular uptake efficiency, and glutathione-responsive anticancer activity of doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulated in core-cross-linked block copolymer micelles (CCMs) toward both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancer cell lines were evaluated. Significant reduction in IC₅₀ was observed by DOX-loaded CCMs toward drug-resistant 231R cancer cell lines, which was further improved by coencapsulating DOX and verapamil (a P-glycoprotein inhibitor) in CCMs. Thus, these reduction-sensitive biocompatible CCMs with tunable swelling property are very promising in overcoming MDR in cancer cells.

Arm-First Approach toward Cross-Linked Polymers with Hydrophobic Domains via Hypervalent Iodine-Mediated Click Chemistry

In this work, synthesis of two cross-linked polymeric systems through isoxazoline ring formation using nitrile oxide-acrylate click chemistry has been described. In the first system, styrenic block copolymer with oxime-functionalized middle block was synthesized using S,S'-bis(α,α'-dimethyl-α″-acetic acid)trithiocarbonate as chain-transfer agent using reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer technique. This block copolymer was further utilized to prepare core cross-linked star polymers by reacting with a four-arm acrylic cross-linker by employing environment-friendly, nontoxic PhI(OAc)2-mediated "click reaction" via the formation of isoxazoline ring. In the second system, two linear styrenic block copolymers, one containing oxime and another containing acrylate group, were reacted to form a cross-linked (CS) polymeric system. Formation of cross-linked polymers and isoxazoline ring was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering studies. Later, we also demonstrated that in aqueous medium these CS polymers produced polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), which can be used as potential carriers of hydrophobic drug molecules. The loading capacity of the hydrophobic domains has been investigated using coumarin dyes with varying hydrophobicity through steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy studies. The polymeric NPs were also shown to successfully encapsulate a hydrophobic drug doxorubicin.

Temperature- and Composition-Dependent DNA Condensation by Thermosensitive Block Copolymers

Successful intracellular delivery of genes requires an efficient carrier, as genes by themselves cannot diffuse across cell membranes. Because of the toxicity and immunogenicity of viral vectors, nonviral vectors are gaining tremendous interest in research. In this work, we have investigated the temperature-dependent DNA condensation efficiency of various compositions of a thermosensitive block copolymer viz., poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PNIPA-b-PDMAEMA). Three different copolymer compositions of varying molecular weights were successfully synthesized via the RAFT polymerization technique. Steady-state fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements, agarose gel electrophoresis, and atomic force microscopy techniques were utilized to study the interaction of the copolymers with DNA at temperatures above and below the critical aggregation temperature (CAT). All these experiments revealed that, above the CAT, there was formation of highly stable and tight polymer-DNA complexes (polyplexes). The size of polyplexes was dependent on the temperature up to a certain charge ratio, as determined by the DLS results. The results obtained from temperature-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, and gel electrophoresis indicated that the DNA molecules were shielded more from aqueous exposure above the CAT because of the formation of relatively more compact complexes. The polyplexes also exhibited changes in the particle morphology below and above the CAT, with particles generated above CAT being more spherical in morphology. These results suggested at the possibility of modulating the complex formation by temperature modification. The present biophysical studies would provide new physical insight into the design of novel gene carriers.

Energy-Transfer Phenomena in Thermoresponsive and pH- Switchable Fluorescent Diblock Copolymer Vesicles

We describe the development of a polymeric vesicle that not only selectively fluoresces at low pH, a condition prevailing in cancer cells, but also can potentially monitor the thermoresponsive release of a drug even if the drug is nonfluorescent. The developed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based thermoresponsive vesicular nanocarriers are composed of a new poly(PEGMA)-b-poly(NIPA-r-R6GMED) block copolymer, which undergoes pH-switchable superior turn on-off fluorescence characteristics. The block copolymer was synthesized using the RAFT technique, and its solution properties and self-assembly behavior were investigated by turbidity measurements, fluorescence spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The block copolymer self-assembled to form nanostructured vesicles above the critical aggregation temperature under physiologically relevant conditions. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were utilized to study the FRET process between encapsulated hydrophobic guest C-153 (donor) and polymer-bound R6GMED units (acceptor) in the thermoresponsive vesicles. The FRET rate and efficiency were found to vary as a result of the pH-dependent changes in the quantum yield of the acceptor molecules. The occurrence of a highly efficient FRET in this polymeric vesicular nanocarrier at acidic pH, a condition similar to the cytoplasm and cell nucleus in leukemic tissues, and the ability to encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules and their temperature-controlled release make it potentially useful in imaging guided real-time monitoring of drug-delivery vehicles.

Photoresponsive Block Copolymer Prodrug Nanoparticles as Delivery Vehicle for Single and Dual Anticancer Drugs

In recent decades, drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on polymer nanoparticles have been explored due to their potential to deliver drugs with poor water solubility. Some of the limitations of nanoparticle-based DDSs can be overcome by developing an appropriate polymer prodrug. In this work, poly(NIPA)-b-poly(HMNPPA)-b-poly(PEGMA-stat-BA) was synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and Chlorambucil (Cbl), an anticancer drug, was conjugated to the copolymer via 3-(3-(hydroxymethyl)-4-nitrophenoxy)propyl acrylate (HMNPPA) units to prepare the prodrug. A few biotin acrylate (BA) units were also incorporated to bring potential targeting capability to the prodrug in the copolymer. This polymer prodrug formed spherical micellar nanoparticles in physiological conditions, which were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements. The very low critical aggregation concentration (cac) (0.011 mg/mL) of the prodrug, as measured from Nile Red fluorescence, makes it stable against dilution. The polymer prodrug was shown to release Cbl on photoirradiation by soft UV (λ ≥ 365 nm) and laser (λ = 405 nm) light. The prodrug micellar nanoparticles were capable of encapsulating a second drug (doxorubicin, DOX) in their hydrophobic core. On photoirradiation with UV and laser light of the DOX-loaded nanoparticles, both Cbl and DOX were released. Light-induced breaking of photolabile ester bond resulted in the release of Cbl and caused disruption of the nanoparticles facilitating release of DOX. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay confirmed the nontoxicity of the polymers and effectiveness of the dual drug-loaded micellar nanoparticles toward cancer cells. Confocal microscopy results showed a better cellular internalization capability of the DOX-loaded nanoparticles in cancer cells, possibly due to the presence of cancer cell targeting biotin molecules in the polymer. This new photoresponsive potentially biocompatible and cancer cell-targeted polymer prodrug may be useful for delivery of single and/or multiple hydrophobic drugs.

Cholesterol Based Surface Active Ionic Liquid That Can Form Microemulsions and Spontaneous Vesicles

In this article, we have reported the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of a novel l-glycine amino acid derived cholesterol based surface active ionic liquid (SAIL). This SAIL has been explored for the preparation of ionic liquid (IL)-in-oil microemulsions and vesicles. The formation of IL-in-oil microemulsion is characterized by construction of a ternary phase diagram, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) study, fluorescence measurement using coumarin 480 (C-480) as a molecular probe, and also by recording the diffusion behavior of the molecular probe rhodamine 6G (R6G) in microemulsion droplets through the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) technique. Similarly, the spontaneous vesicle formation from the SAIL in water has been established using DLS, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), FCS, and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) measurements. These aggregates may potentially serve as good biomimicking models and possible drug carriers.

Gold nanorod embedded reduction responsive block copolymer micelle-triggered drug delivery combined with photothermal ablation for targeted cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Gold nanorods, by virtue of surface plasmon resonance, convert incident light energy (NIR) into heat energy which induces hyperthermia. We designed unique, multifunctional, gold nanorod embedded block copolymer micelle loaded with GW627368X for targeted drug delivery and photothermal therapy.

METHODS

Glutathione responsive diblock co-polymer was synthesized by RAFT process forming self-assembled micelle on gold nanorods prepared by seed mediated method and GW627368X was loaded on to the reduction responsive gold nanorod embedded micelle. Photothermal therapy was administered using cwNIR laser (808nm; 4W/cm²). Efficacy of nanoformulated GW627368X, photothermal therapy and combination of both were evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

In response to photothermal treatment, cells undergo regulated, patterned cell death by necroptosis. Combining GW627368X with photothermal treatment using single nanoparticle enhanced therapeutic outcome. In addition, these nanoparticles are effective X-ray CT contrast agents, thus, can help in monitoring treatment.

CONCLUSION

Reduction responsive nanorod embedded micelle containing folic acid and lipoic acid when treated on cervical cancer cells or tumour bearing mice, aggregate in and around cancer cells. Due to high glutathione concentration, micelles degrade releasing drug which binds surface receptors inducing apoptosis. When incident with 808nm cwNIR lasers, gold nanorods bring about photothermal effect leading to hyperthermic cell death by necroptosis. Combination of the two modalities enhances therapeutic efficacy by inducing both forms of cell death.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Our proposed treatment strategy achieves photothermal therapy and targeted drug delivery simultaneously. It can prove useful in overcoming general toxicities associated with chemotherapeutics and intrinsic/acquired resistance to chemo and radiotherapy.

Temperature, pH and redox responsive cellulose based hydrogels for protein delivery

Cellulose based hydrogels are important due to their biocompatibility, non-toxicity and natural origin. In this work, a new set of pH, temperature and redox responsive hydrogels were prepared from carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). Copolymeric (CP) hydrogels were synthesized by copolymerizing N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and methacrylated carboxymethylcellulose, semi-interpenetrating network (SIPN) hydrogels were prepared by polymerizing NIPA in presence of CMC. Two types of cross-linkers were used viz. N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) and N,N'-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (CBA), a redox sensitive cross-linker. The structures of the hydrogels were characterized by FTIR and SEM studies. The CP hydrogels were found to be more porous than corresponding SIPNs which resulted in higher swelling for the CP hydrogels. Swelling for both the hydrogels were found to increase with CMC content. While the swelling of SIPN hydrogels showed discontinuous temperature dependency, CP hydrogels showed gradual decrease in water retention values with increase in temperature. CBA cross-linked hydrogels showed higher swelling in comparison to BIS cross-linked hydrogels. Additionally, lysozyme was loaded in the hydrogels and its in vitro release was studied in various pH, temperature and in presence of a reducing agent, glutathione (GSH). The release rate was found to be maximum at lower temperature, lower pH and in presence of GSH.

Photoresponsive polymers based on a coumarin moiety for the controlled release of pesticide 2,4-D

We report an excellent photoresponsive controlled release formulation based on a coumarin copolymer for pesticide 2,4-D.

Interaction between calf thymus DNA and cationic bottle-brush copolymers: equilibrium and stopped-flow kinetic studies

Polyplex formation betweenctDNA and PEGylated cationic bottle-brush copolymers: PEG influences the DNA compaction behavior and the kinetics of polyplex formation.

pH-degradable and thermoresponsive water-soluble core cross-linked polymeric nanoparticles as potential drug delivery vehicle for doxorubicin

Doxorubicin release at preferred lysosomal pH of the cancer cells due to pH-induced de-crosslinking of polymer nanoparticle core.

pH-induced vesicle-to-micelle transition in amphiphilic diblock copolymer: investigation by energy transfer between in situ formed polymer embedded gold nanoparticles and fluorescent dye

The ability to regulate the formation of nanostructures through self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers is of immense significance in the field of biology and medicine. In this work, a new block copolymer synthesized by using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization technique from poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether acrylate (PEGMA) and Boc-l-tryptophan acryloyloxyethyl ester (Boc-l-trp-HEA) was found to spontaneously form pH-responsive water-soluble nanostructures after removal of the Boc group. While polymer vesicles or polymerosomes were formed at physiological pH, the micelles were formed at acidic pH (< 5.2), and this facilitated a pH-induced reversible vesicle-to-micelle transition. Formation of these nanostructures was confirmed by different characterization techniques, viz. transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and steady-state fluorescence measurements. Further, these vesicles were successfully utilized to reduce HAuCl4 and stabilize the resulting gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These AuNPs, confined within the hydrophobic shell of the vesicles, could participate in energy transfer process with fluorescent dye molecules encapsulated in the core of the vesicles, thus forming a nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET) pair. Subsequently, following the efficiency of energy transfer between this pair, it was possible to monitor the process of transition from vesicles to micelles. Thus, in this work, we have successfully demonstrated that NSET can be used to follow the transition between nanostructures formed by amphiphilic block copolymers.

Effect of encapsulation of curcumin in polymeric nanoparticles: how efficient to control ESIPT process?

This paper demonstrates the photophysics of curcumin inside polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), which are being recently used as targeted drug delivery vehicles. For this purpose, we have prepared three polymeric NPs by ultrasonication method from three well-defined water-insoluble random copolymers. These copolymers having various degrees of hydrophobicity were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) method using styrene and three different functional monomers, namely, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 4-formylphenyl acrylate, and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride. The photophysics of the curcumin molecules inside the polymeric NPs have been monitored by applying tools like steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. An increase in fluorescence intensity along with an increase in the lifetime values indicated a perturbation of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process of curcumin inside the polymeric NPs.

Functional group-dependent self-assembled nanostructures from thermo-responsive triblock copolymers

The ability to control the formation of nanostructures through self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers is of great interest in the field of biology and catalysis. In this work we have studied the self-assembling behavior of a new class of thermo-responsive triblock copolymers containing poly(ethylene glycol), and demonstrated the manner in which the aggregation pattern changed on simple functional group transformation on the copolymers. Two different triblock copolymers, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(N-ispropylacrylamide)-b-poly(t-butyl acrylate) (P1) and poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (P2) were synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) technique. It was observed that P1 and P2 displayed different temperature dependent solution properties in water, with P1 forming micelles above the LCST of the PNIPA while P2 showing macroscopic phase separation under similar conditions. Thereafter, the tert-butyl group of P1 was converted to the corresponding acid (P1a) and the epoxy groups of P2 was converted to diols (P2a), thus transforming the hydrophobic blocks to hydrophilic ones. Quite interestingly, such transformations led to significant changes in their self-assembling behavior, as both P1a and P2a were seen to form vesicles beyond the LCST of PNIPA. Changes in the hydrophilic fraction in the block copolymers by subtle changes in the functionality and temperature led to the formation of varied nanostructured assemblies, as evident from dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmisison electron microscopy (TEM), and steady-state fluorescence analysis. Such formation of thermo-responsive vesicles induced by simple structural changes in the copolymers is quite interesting and highly significant in drug delivery applications.

Thermoregulated formation and disintegration of cationic block copolymer vesicles: fluorescence resonance energy transfer study

Formation and disintegration of self-assembled nanostructures in response to external stimuli are important phenomena that have been widely explored for a variety of biomedical applications. In this contribution, we report the thermally triggered assembly of block copolymer molecules in aqueous solution to form vesicles (polymersomes) and their disassembly on reduction of temperature. A new thermoresponsive diblock copolymer of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) poly((3-methacrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride) (PNIPA-b-PMAPTAC) was synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer technique. The solution properties and self-assembling behavior of the block copolymer molecules were studied by turbidimetry, temperature-dependent proton nuclear magnetic resonance, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies between coumarin-153 (C-153, donor) and rhodamine 6G (R6G, acceptor) have been performed by steady-state and picosecond-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to probe the structural and dynamic heterogeneity of the vesicles. The occurrence of efficient energy transfer was evident from the shortening of donor lifetime in the presence of the acceptor. The capability of the vesicles to encapsulate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules and release them in response to decrease in temperature makes them potentially useful as drug delivery vehicles.

Stopped-flow kinetic studies of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-calf thymus DNA to form dendriplexes

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are known to be highly efficient nonviral carriers in gene delivery. Dendrimer-mediated transfection is known to be a function of the dendrimer to DNA charge ratio as well as the size of the dendrimer. In the present study, the binding kinetics of four PAMAM dendrimers (G1, G2, G3, and G4) with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been studied using stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of dendrimer-to-DNA charge ratio and dendrimer generation on the binding kinetics was investigated. In most cases, the results of dendrimer-CT-DNA binding can be explained by a two-step reaction mechanism: a rapid electrostatic binding between the dendrimer and DNA, followed by a conformational change of the dendrimer-DNA complex that ultimately leads to DNA condensation. It was observed that the charge ratio on the dendrimer and the DNA phosphate groups, as well as the dendrimer generation (size), has a marked effect on the kinetics of binding between the DNA and the dendrimers. The rate constant (k'1) of the first step was much higher compared to that of the second step (k'2), and both were found to increase with an increase in dendrimer concentration. Among the four generations of dendrimers, G4 exhibited significantly faster binding kinetics compared to the three smaller generation dendrimers.

Thermal and pH responsive polymer-tethered multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles for targeted delivery of anticancer drug

Targeted and efficient delivery of therapeutics to tumor cells is one of the key issues in cancer therapy. In the present work, we report a temperature and pH dual responsive core-shell nanoparticles comprising smart polymer shell coated on magnetic nanoparticles as an anticancer drug carrier and cancer cell-specific targeting agent. Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), prepared by a simple coprecipitation method, was surface modified by introducing amine groups using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Dual-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) copolymer, synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, was then attached to the amine-functionalized MNPs via EDC/NHS method. Further, to accomplish cancer-specific targeting properties, folic acid was tethered to the surface of the nanoparticles. Thereafter, rhodamine B isothiocyanate was conjugated to endow fluorescent property to the MNPs required for cellular imaging applications. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements, and FTIR, UV-vis spectral analysis. Doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug used for the present study, was loaded into the nanoparticles and its release behavior was subsequently studied. Result showed a sustained release of DOX preferentially at the desired lysosomal pH and temperature condition. The biological activity of the DOX-loaded MNPs was studied by MTT assay, fluorescence microscopy, and apoptosis. Intracellular-uptake studies revealed preferential uptake of these nanoparticles into cancer cells (HeLa cells) compared to normal fibroblast cells (L929 cells). The in vitro apoptosis study revealed that the DOX-loaded nanoparticles caused significant death to the HeLa cells. These nanoparticles were capable of target specific release of the loaded drug in response to pH and temperature and hence may serve as a potential drug carrier for in vivo applications.