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Precise Controlled Target Molecule Release through Light-Triggered Charge Reversal Bridged Polysilsesquioxane
Xin Zhang1, Mengmeng Zhang1, Mingyue Wu1
1Key Laboratory of Special Functional Aggregated Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China.
Polymers
|August 10, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed light-triggered nanoparticles for precise drug delivery. This system enables controlled molecule release timing, location, and dosage, enhancing therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Achieving precise control over drug release timing, site, and dosage in controlled release systems remains a significant challenge.
- Existing systems often lack the ability to finely tune release kinetics based on external stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a light-triggered, charge-reversal nanoparticle system for precise, stepwise, and controlled molecule release.
- To demonstrate the capability of photocleavage-bridged polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles for triggered doxorubicin release.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles with photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl segments.
- Loaded doxorubicin onto the nanoparticle surface via electrostatic interaction.
- Utilized 254 nm light irradiation to induce photocleavage and subsequent charge reversal for molecule release.
- Investigated nanoparticle size, doxorubicin loading content, and surface charge changes upon irradiation.
- Performed in vitro release experiments under varying irradiation intensities and on/off modes.
Main Results:
- Prepared nanoparticles with an average size of 124 nm and doxorubicin loading content up to 12.8%.
- Demonstrated rapid surface charge reversal from negative (-28.20 mV) to positive (+18.9 mV) within 10 min of light irradiation.
- Achieved up to 96% cumulative doxorubicin release, with release rate controllable by irradiation intensity.
- Successfully demonstrated a precise, stepwise drug release profile using on/off irradiation control.
Conclusions:
- The developed light-triggered charge-reversal nanoparticles offer a precise platform for controlled molecule release, addressing key challenges in drug delivery.
- The system allows for accurate control over release timing, location, and dosage by regulating light irradiation parameters.
- This technology holds significant potential for advanced biomedical applications, particularly with future adaptations for near-infrared or infrared light triggering.

