Dendritic magnetite decorated by pH-responsive PEGylated starch: a smart multifunctional nanocarrier for the triggered release of anti-cancer drugs

In the present study, we designed a pH-responsive drug nanocarrier based on polyamidoamine-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated by PEGylated starch-co-poly(acrylic acid). This carrier was used for the controlled release of doxorubicin as an anticancer drug model. The purpose of using the polyethylene glycol moiety is to generate a biostable nanocarrier in blood stream as it has been reported widely in the pharmaceutical literature. The use of a poly(acrylic acid) segment also provided pH-sensitivity to the polymer. Besides, the magnetic nanoparticles facilitate the cancer cell targeting with an external magnetic field located near the tumor site. This carrier was characterized by techniques such as FT-IR, H-1-NMR, UV-Vis, DLS, TGA, TEM, zeta potential, WAXD and VSM. Moreover, in vitro drug release profiles and cytotoxicity assays were investigated.