Dual-Responsive Alginate/PNIPAM Microspheres Fabricated by Microemulsion-Based Electrospray

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Smart materials enable precise drug release by responding to physiological stimuli like pH and temperature.
• This improves treatment efficacy and reduces side effects, advancing personalized medicine.
• Ozoile, derived from olive oil, modulates redox balance and interacts with biological pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate dual-responsive alginate/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microspheres.
• To embed the bioactive compound Ozoile within these microspheres.
• To create a targeted drug delivery system for oxidative stress and inflammation management.

Main Methods:

• Electrospray technique was used for microsphere fabrication, avoiding organic solvents.
• Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) was synthesized via radical polymerization.
• Chitosan coating was applied to enhance stability and control degradation kinetics.

Main Results:

• Morphological analysis, FTIR, and degradation assays confirmed structural integrity and pH-responsive behavior.
• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determined the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), confirming thermal response.
• The microspheres demonstrated dual responsiveness to both pH and temperature variations.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully developed dual-responsive alginate/PNIPAM microspheres incorporating Ozoile.
• This innovative system offers a promising platform for targeted drug delivery, particularly for oxidative stress and inflammation.
• The fabrication method is solvent-free, enhancing its applicability in biomedical applications.