pH-responsive magnetic nanocomposites based on poly(2-succinyloxyethyl methacrylate-co-methylmethacrylate) for anticancer doxorubicin delivery applications

A novel pH-responsive Fe3O4/poly(2-succinyloxyethylmethacrylate-co-methylmethacrylate) (poly(SEMA-co-MMA)) nano-composite was designed for anticancer drug delivery applications. For this propose, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methylmethacrylate) (poly(HEMA-co-MMA)) was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) method. Then, poly(SEMA-co-MMA) was prepared by the esterification of poly(HEMA-co-MMA) copolymer through the reaction with an excess amount of succinic anhydride. The synthesized copolymers with acidic functional groups were adsorbed onto the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3O4/poly(SEMA-co-MMA) nanocomposite was developed. The pH-sensitivity of Fe3O4/poly(SEMA-co-MMA) nanocomposite was confirmed via dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The Doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulation efficiency was 92.6%. The release rates at pHs of 5.4 and 4 (37 degrees C) reached 55.7 and 62.4 wt%, respectively, and at pH = 7.4, it possessed a minimum amount around 38.3 wt% after 15 days. The synthesized nanocomposite may be find the drug delivery applications, in part thanks to their smart physicochemical properties.