Polymeric Hydrogel Nanocapsules: A Thermo and pH Dual-responsive Carrier for Sustained Drug Release

Abstract

Abstract Hydrogel capsules show attractive prospects in drug delivery recently because of high drug loading and sustained release behavior. In this study we reported a simple and convenient route to fabricate poly (acrylic acid)-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PAA-PNIPAm) hydrogel capsules by using hydroxypropylcellulose-poly (acrylic acid) (HPC-PAA) complexes as the templates. The capsules showed a high drug loading (∼280% to the weight of capsules) for Doxorubicin hydrochloride. The release of drug from the capsules was responsive to the temperature and pH of the surroundings, showing a low-rate but sustained release behavior favorable for low-toxic and long-term therapy. Together with the convenient preparation, high drug loading, dual responsivity as well as the sustained release feature, it is implied that this polymeric hydrogel capsule might be a promising candidate for new drug carriers.