Polymeric hollow spheres assembled from ALG-g-PNIPAM and β-cyclodextrin for controlled drug release

In this paper, thermo-sensitive polymeric hollow spheres assembled from sodium alginate-graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (ALG-g-PNIPAM) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were prepared for controlled release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In aqueous solutions, β-CD and PNIPAM formed rod-like segments through inclusion complexation interactions and sodium alginate acted as coil segments, which resulted in the formation of hollow structures. The size and wall thickness of assemblies increased with the increase of β-CD in mixtures. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of hollow spheres varied in the range of 35-37°C. The hollow spheres exhibited high drug loading efficiency for 5-FU due to the hydrophilic cavities. The initial composition of mixtures, temperature and pH had a significant effect on the inclusion ability and drug release. Increasing temperatures above the LCST or decreasing pH to acidic conditions, a more rapid release rate was observed.