Preparation of pH-sensitive chitosan-magnetic graphene quantum dot bionanocomposite hydrogel beads for drug delivery application: Emphasis on effects nanoparticles

Abstract

Chitosan-based bionanocomposite hydrogel beads have attracted much attention as carriers in drug delivery systems due to their inherent properties, such as excellent biocompatibility, high swelling, and high storage capacities. In this study, a combination of chitosan hydrogel with different amounts of MGQD was prepared and used for pH-sensitive controlled release of MTX. The successful synthesis was confirmed through various analysis methods. The fabricated CS, CS-MGQD 5%, CS-MGQD 10%, and CS-MGQD 15% hydrogel beads loaded about 84, 83, 77, and 64% of MTX, respectively. The results of the swelling behavior and drug release behavior showed that the hydrogel beads experience pH-dependent swelling and release of MTX. In addition, investigating the effect of MGQD concentration on swelling behavior and drug release showed that CS-MGQD 15% has favorable stability and controllable drug release in an acid environment. Also, the Weibull kinetic model was the best-fitting model for MTX release from CS-MGQD 15% bionanocomposite hydrogels at pH 5. These findings suggest that the prepared magnetic bionanocomposite hydrogel beads have good potential for implantable pH-sensitive drug delivery in the treatment of cancerous tissue.