TITLE:
Influence of Alternating and Static Magnetic Fields on Drug Release from Hybrid Hydrogels Containing Magnetic Nanoparticles
AUTHORS:
Marianna Uva, Daniela Pasqui, Lorenzo Mencuccini, Serena Fedi, Rolando Barbucci
KEYWORDS:
Magnetic Hydrogels, Alternating Magnetic Field, Static Magnetic Field, Controlled Release, Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology,
Vol.5 No.2,
April
18,
2014
ABSTRACT: Hybrid hydrogels of
carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), containing two different amounts of CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (50% and 70% in relation to the quantity of the polymer) as crosslinkers, were prepared. The hybrid hydrogels were chemically
and morphologically characterized and their viscoelastic properties and swelling
degrees were analyzed. The hydrogels were tested as controlled drug delivery
systems by applying one static and two different alternating magnetic fields.
The application of the two alternating magnetic fields (AMF) to the hybrid
hydrogels induced a higher release of methylene blue (MB), used as a model
drug, than without the application of any magnetic field, especially at low frequency (4 Hz) and high magnetic intensity (0.5
T). In contrast, when the hybrid hydrogels were exposed to a static magnetic field
(SMF) the release of MB was slowed down. Furthermore the two different amounts of magnetic nanoparticles
induce different responses to the magnetic field. The greater number of
nanoparticles in the CMC-NP-70 hydrogel leads to the formation of some NPs
clusters limiting the drug release; conversely, the CMC-NP-50 hydrogel,
containing a lower amount of nanoparticles, shows a higher release of MB vs.
time. In conclusion, we were
able to get a potential system for modulation of the drug delivery: the release
behaviour of hybrid hydrogels can be modulated by applying alternating and
static magnetic fields cyclically. A possible explanation for the release
mechanism is about the structural
modification of the polymeric chains that occurs when the hybrid hydrogels are
exposed to the magnetic fields.