Nontoxic double-network polymeric hybrid aerogel functionalized with reduced graphene oxide: Preparation, characterization, and evaluation as drug delivery agent

Biopolymer aerogel microspheres based on K-carrageenan, Sodium-alginate, and reduced graphene oxide (SA/K-CG/rGO) were fabricated by crosslinking with divalent cation (Ca2+) and sol-gel technique followed by super critical drying. Then, the synthesized SA/K-CG/Ca2+-k(+)/rGO hybrid aerogel has been evaluated as an effective drug delivery system (DDS). The obtained aerogel was characterized using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM/EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Amoxicillin as a model drug was immobilized in aerogel up to 94%. The release profile designated a continuous pH-dependent discharge at two studied pH scales (4.0, 5.5, 7.4 and 9.0). Finally, Korsmeyer-Peppas model and Higuchi model have been applied to evaluate the release kinetics, and it proves that the release of Amox from the hybrid aerogels is controlled by Fickian diffusion. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) index for Aerogel/Amox with rGO was 250 mu g/ml and 62 mu g/ml for Streptomyces aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. Besides, the cell viability assay did not show toxicity against normal endothelial cells. Collectively, the results determine the SA/K-CG/Ca2+-k(+)/rGO aerogel would be a potential material for the fabrication of pH-controlled drug delivery scaffold.

Automated summary

In this study, biopolymer aerogel microspheres based on K-carrageenan, Sodium-alginate, and reduced graphene oxide (SA/K-CG/rGO) were fabricated and evaluated as a drug delivery system (DDS). The synthesized aerogel exhibited pH-controlled release of amoxicillin and showed low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Streptomyces aureus and Escherichia coli. Additionally, cell viability assay indicated no toxicity against normal endothelial cells.