A novel magnetic triple-responsive composite semi-IPN hydrogels for targeted and controlled drug delivery

In this work, Fe3O4/poly(3-acrylamidephenylboronic acid-co-(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (Fe3O4/P(AAPBA-co-DMAEMA)) hydrogels possessing magnetic and triple-responsive properties and semi-interpenetrated by beta-cyclodextrin-epichlorohydrin (beta-CD-EPI) were prepared via radical polymerization. The characteristics of the materials have been investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The swelling measurements and the application of Fe3O4/P(AAPBA-co-DMAEMA)/(beta-CD-EPI) hydrogels in controlled release of drug were also investigated. It was found that the magnetic hydrogels exhibit swelling behaviors affected by pH, temperature, glucose concentration and magnetic field, and have porous morphologies, superparamagnetism. Moreover, the hydrogels possess targeting and could control the release of quercetin by adjusting pH value, temperature, glucose concentration and magnetic field. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.