Biodegradable Magnetic Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Remote Controlled Drug Release

Some diseases such as diabetes require treatments with constant doses similar to biological processes in conjunction with on demand spike release of a drug. To address this challenge, a novel drug delivery system was investigated through the exposure of magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite to alternating magnetic field (AMF). With AMF exposure, MNP incorporated in the hydrogel could generate localized heating that could enhance the drug release. Hydrogel made of poly(beta-amino ester) (PβAE), loaded with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) in proportions of 0, 1, 5, and 10 wt% were synthesized. Fluoresceine as a model drug was covalently bonded with the hydrogel. In vitro drug release in PBS was conducted with and without the exposure of AMF at amplitudes of 5 and 12mT. The proposed 5 wt% MNP incorporated hydrogel fully degraded in 135 minutes and 150 minutes in AMF at 5mT and 12mT amplitudes respectively compared to the 25°C water bath trials of the same gel degrading in 195 minutes. Current hydrogel nanocomposites degrade too quickly, as such future experiments will attempt to extend degradation time by altering molar ratio of PβAE reactants.