Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
06:26
Synthesis of Stimuli-responsive Nanogels using Aqueous One-step Crosslinking and Co-nanopolymerization
Published on: January 24, 2025
2.1K
Glucose- and pH-responsive nanogated ensemble based on polymeric network capped mesoporous silica
Lei Tan1, Mei-Yan Yang1, Hai-Xia Wu1,2
1†Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 5, 2015
Summary
This study presents a novel glucose and pH-responsive drug delivery system using mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The system releases loaded molecules in response to glucose or changes in pH, offering tunable and enhanced release capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Development of smart drug delivery systems that respond to physiological stimuli is crucial for targeted therapy.
- Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) offer high surface area and tunable pore sizes for drug encapsulation.
- Stimuli-responsive polymers can be utilized to control drug release kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a glucose and pH-responsive release system based on polymeric network-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN).
- To investigate the controlled release of loaded guest molecules triggered by glucose or acidic conditions.
- To evaluate the synergistic effect of dual stimuli (glucose and pH) on the release rate.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) brushes on MSN via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP).
- Glycosylation of PAA with glucosamine to form P(AA-AGA).
- Cross-linking of P(AA-AGA) chains with 4,4-(ethylenedicarbamoyl)phenylboronic acid (EPBA) to cap MSN pores via boronate ester formation.
- Investigation of drug release profiles under varying pH and glucose concentrations.
Main Results:
- The P(AA-AGA) capped MSN system demonstrated stimuli-responsive release of loaded molecules.
- Boronate ester linkages disassociated in the presence of glucose or acidic conditions, opening the mesoporous channels.
- Release rate was tunable by adjusting pH or glucose concentration, with enhanced release observed at pH 6.0.
Conclusions:
- A novel dual-responsive (glucose and pH) drug delivery system based on functionalized MSN has been successfully developed.
- The system exhibits controlled and tunable release, offering potential for targeted and on-demand drug delivery.
- The combination of stimuli provides an enhanced release capacity, particularly under mild acidic conditions.
