Thermoresponsive nanogels based on polyelectrolyte complexes between polycations and functionalized hyaluronic acid

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Thermoresponsive polymers offer tunable properties for advanced applications.
• Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) are formed by electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged polymers.
• Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biocompatible polysaccharide with potential in drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel thermoresponsive polyelectrolyte complex-nanogels (PEC-NGs).
• To investigate the effect of Jeffamine® M-2005 (M2005) functionalization on PEC-NG properties.
• To evaluate the potential of these PEC-NGs as nanocarriers for curcumin delivery.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of M2005-functionalized HA.
• Formation of PEC-NGs by mixing functionalized HA with diethylaminoethyl dextran (DEAE-D) or poly-l-lysine (PLL).
• Characterization of PEC-NGs including particle size, surface charge, thermoresponsiveness, stability, curcumin encapsulation, and enzymatic degradability.

Main Results:

• M2005 grafts imparted thermoresponsiveness (shrinkage at higher temperatures) and increased particle size.
• PEC-NGs exhibited enhanced stability in saline conditions and improved curcumin encapsulation, attributed to hydrophobic interactions.
• Curcumin encapsulation efficiency was optimized at higher temperatures.
• Enzymatic degradability was confirmed in the presence of hyaluronidase.

Conclusions:

• Developed PEC-NGs demonstrate tunable physicochemical properties and enhanced stability.
• The M2005 grafts and polycation choice (PLL vs. DEAE-D) significantly influence nanogel characteristics.
• These thermoresponsive PEC-NGs show promise as efficient nanocarriers for hydrophobic drugs like curcumin.