Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Research Articles

A multifunctional antibacterial and self-healing hydrogel laden with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for accelerating diabetic wound healing

Chronic diabetic wound injury is a serious syndrome of diabetes, and the treatment of this syndrome is of great significance. Owing to metabolic abnormalities, diabetic wounds are difficult to heal due to chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, impaired angiogenesis and bacterial reproduction. However, most traditional treatments can only play a limited role in dealing with unhealed wounds, and the overall healing effect is not ideal. We designed a novel bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (MSC-Exo)-loaded carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC)-dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) hydrogel (MSC-Exos@CEC-DCMC HG) for chronic diabetic wound healing. The results demonstrated that CEC can be cross-linked with DCMC through Schiff base reactions to form antibacterial and self-healing hydrogels. The inherent MSC-Exos not only promoted angiogenesis but also enhanced the transformation of M1-type macrophages to the M2 type to reduce inflammatory effects. Finally, MSC-Exos@CEC-DCMC HG, as an effective therapeutic agent, synergistically adjusted the wound inflammation microenvironment, promoted neovascularization, and accelerated wound healing in type 1 diabetic rats.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Optical Fibers for Environment Sensing and Short-Range Optical Signal Transmission.

Optical fibers are a key component in modern photonics, where conventionally used polymer materials are derived from fossil-based resources, causing heavy greenhouse emissions and raising sustainability concerns. As a potential alternative, fibers derived from cellulose-based materials offer renewability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. In the present work, we studied the potential of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to prepare optical fibers with a core-only architecture. Wet-spun CMC hydrogel filaments were cross-linked using aluminum ions to fabricate optical fibers. The transmission spectra of fibers suggest that the light transmission window for cladding-free CMC fibers was in the range of 550–1350 nm, wherein the attenuation coefficient for CMC fibers was measured to be 1.6 dB·cm–1 at 637 nm. CMC optical fibers were successfully applied in touch sensing and respiratory rate monitoring. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate high-speed (150 Mbit/s) short-distance signal transmission using CMC fibers (at 1310 nm) in both air and water media. Our results establish the potential of carboxymethyl cellulose-based biocompatible optical fibers for highly demanding advanced sensor applications, such as in the biomedical domain.

In situ incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles within the carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels enables dye removal

Herein, we report a novel approach for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticle (Fe3O4) incorporated carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrogel nanocomposites (CMC-Fe3O4) that involves in-situ mineralization of Fe2+/Fe3+ ions in a hydrogel network. In this protocol, first, pure CMC hydrogel was prepared using citric acid as a cross-linker. Subsequently, the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were allowed to form inside the hydrogel matrix by a co-precipitation method. The resulting materials were characterized by various physical techniques, viz., Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. We find that this strategy offered unique characteristic features, including morphology and structural order of the nanocomposites. We further explored the feasibility of using the prepared materials in the clearance of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution making the use of magnetic property of the nanocomposites. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order and the intraparticle diffusion models. The equilibrium adsorption capacity could be explained by the Freundlich and Halsey models, indicating heterogeneous adsorption with a multilayer coverage of the dyes. The nanocomposites maintained their high adsorption capacity after five successive cycles, thus providing an excellent cost-effective material for dye removal.

Fabrication and Evaluation of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose Anchored Dextran Bioinspired Hydrogel for Effective Delivery of Piroxicam

The main focus of the work was to develop a hydrogel of carboxy methyl cellulose tailored dextran containing piroxicam intended for transdermal delivery. Firstly, hydrogel was formulated by conjugation of carboxy methyl cellulose with amino dextran and then piroxicam was mixed to encapsulation in the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel characterization was performed in terms of zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, morphology and in vitro drug release. The size of the particles was found 134 nm of carboxy methyl cellulose-dextran hydrogels and entrapment efficiency was observed as 87.36 %±1.23 % and 72.35 %±2.35 % in case of carboxy methyl cellulose-dextran hydrogels and carboxy methyl cellulose hydrogels, respectively. An in vivo study for piroxicam loaded carboxy methyl cellulose-dextran hydrogels formulation was performed according to more (6.22 mg/ml) than carboxy methyl cellulose hydrogels (plain) formulation concentration in plasma (3.21 mg/ml). Carboxy methyl cellulose hydrogels in case of epidermis, the piroxicam retained was 15.61±1.5 mg/ml and in dermis it was 6.24 %±1.2 % as well as in case of carboxy methyl cellulose-dextran hydrogels in epidermis the piroxicam retention was 5.21±1.19 mg/ml and in dermis was 26.34±0.5 mg/ml in 12 h. Piroxicam loaded hydrogel were found effective in wound healing through improved collagen and protein content, and restoration of antioxidants in granuloma tissues.

Topologically switchable and gated transcription machinery.

Topological barriers control in nature the transcription machinery, thereby perturbing gene expression. Here we introduce synthetically designed DNA templates that include built-in topological barriers for switchable, triggered-controlled transcription of RNA aptamers. This is exemplified with the design of transcription templates that include reversible and switchable topological barriers consisting of a Sr2+-ion-stabilized G-quadruplex and its separation by kryptofix [2.2.2], KP, for the switchable transcription of the malachite green (MG) RNA aptamer, the T-A·T triplex barrier being separated by a fuel-strand for the cyclic triggered transcription of the 3,5-difluoro-4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone (DFHBI)-binding aptamer, and the use of a photoactivated cis/trans azobenzene-modified nucleic acid barrier for the switchable “ON”/“OFF” transcription of the MG RNA aptamer. By applying a mixture of topologically triggered templates consisting of the photoresponsive barrier and the T-A·T triplex barrier, the gated transcription of the MG aptamer or the DFHBI-binding aptamer is demonstrated. In addition, a Sr2+-ion/KP topologically triggered DNA tetrahedra promoter-transcription scaffold, for the replication of the MG RNA aptamer, and T7 RNA polymerase are integrated into DNA-based carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel microcapsules acting as cell-like assemblies. The switchable, reversible transcription of the MG RNA aptamer in a cell-like containment is introduced.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Based Formulations of Zinc Hydroxide Nitrate-Sodium Dodecylsulphate-Bispyribac Nanocomposite: Advancements in Controlled Release Formulation of Herbicide.

The usefulness of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a matrix material in enhancing the controlled release formulations of bispyribac (BP) herbicide from the interlayer gallery of zinc hydroxide nitratesodium dodecylsulphate-bispyribac (ZHN-SDS-BP) nanocomposite was investigated. The CMC coated nanocomposite, ZHN-SDS-BP-CMC was characterised using several instruments for the determination of its physicochemical properties. The release rates of the BP were measured using a UV spectrophotometer, and the aqueous solutions containing PO3-₄ , SO2-₄ and Cl- were selected as release media in the release studies so as to mimic the real conditions of environmental soil. Significant release time delays, triggered by the gelation forming ability and hygroscopic nature of CMC, were observed in all release media, and the release processes were found to behave in a concentration-dependent manner in all release media. Fitting the release data into several kinetic models demonstrated that release in aqueous solutions of Na₃PO₄ and Na₂SO₄ was governed by pseudo second order processes, whereas the release in an aqueous NaCl solution was governed by the parabolic diffusion kinetic model. The potential of CMC in prolonging the release of BP from ZHN-SDS-BP-CMC can potentially help in reducing the pollution resulting from the overuse of pesticides.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel from Biomass Waste of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Using Calcium Chloride as Crosslinking Agent.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is modified cellulose extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) biomass waste that has been prepared through etherification using sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA) in the presence of sodium hydroxide. In this research, CMC hydrogel was prepared using calcium chloride (CaCl2) as the chemical crosslinker. Throughout the optimization process, four important parameters were studied, which were: (1) CMC concentration, (2) CaCl2 concentration, (3) reaction time, and (4) reaction temperature. From the results, the best gel content obtained was 28.11% at 20% (w/v) of CMC with 1% (w/v) of CaCl2 in 24 h reaction at room temperature. Meanwhile, the degree of swelling for CMC hydrogel was 47.34 g/g. All samples were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and FESEM to study and compare modification on the OPEFB cellulose. The FT-IR spectrum of CMC hydrogel showed a shift of COO− peaks at 1585 cm−1 and 1413 cm−1, indicating the substitution of Ca2+ into the CMC molecular chains. The XRD diffractogram of CMC hydrogel showed no observation of sharp peaks, which signified an amorphous hydrogel phase. The CrI value also proved the decrement of the crystalline nature of CMC hydrogel. TGA–DTG thermograms showed that the Tmax of CMC hydrogel at 293.33 °C is slightly better in thermal stability compared to CMC. Meanwhile, the FESEM micrograph of CMC hydrogel showed interconnected pores indicating the crosslinkages in CMC hydrogel. CMC hydrogel was successfully synthesized using CaCl2 as a crosslinking agent, and its swelling ability can be used in various applications such as drug delivery systems, industrial effluent, food additives, heavy metal removal, and many more.

Gradient Diffusion Anisotropic Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogels for Strain Sensors.

Recently, because of the unique properties of anisotropic and isotropic structures, there are more research studies on anisotropic hydrogels. We prepared a gradient anisotropic carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel (CMC-Al3+) by directionally diffusing aluminum chloride solution. The orientation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) chains is perpendicular to the direction of aluminum ion diffusion. The degree of cross-linking and orientation gradually decrease along the direction of aluminum ion diffusion. Compared with anisotropic hydrogels prepared by other methods, the hydrogels prepared by directionally diffusing aluminum ion solution have a gradient lamellar structure. Because of the large amount of aluminum ions in CMC-Al3+, the hydrogel shows good sensing performance. CMC-Al3+ is packaged with PVC electrical flame retardant tape to produce a strain sensor used to detect human tiny movements, which can accurately and stably monitor tiny movements. Hydrogel-based strain sensors can be widely used in the fields of human-computer intelligence, human-computer interaction, and wearable devices in the future.

EDTA-Functionalized Magnetic Graphene Oxide/Polyacrylamide Grafted Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel for Removal of Pb+2 from Aqueous Solution

EDTA-Functionalized Magnetic Graphene Oxide/Polyacrylamide Grafted Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel for Removal of Pb+2 from Aqueous Solution

Nanocomposite base on carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel: Simultaneous absorbent of ethylene and humidity to increase the shelf life of banana fruit

The main purpose of this study was to increase shelf life of banana using active hydrogel. For this purpose, carboxymethylcellulose/nanofiber cellulose/potassium permanganate (CMC/NFC/KMnO4) hydrogel film was prepared. The morphology and physicochemical properties of CMC hydrogels was investigated. The prepared films were used as humidity/ethylene absorbent in banana packaging for 30 days at 0 and 25 °C. The physical, mechanical and sensory properties of bananas were studied during storage. SEM images confirmed the presence of nanofibers in the hydrogel structure. NFC and KMnO4 increased the tensile strength of the film and decreased its elongation. On the 15th day of storage, bananas packaged with optimal active hydrogel (CMC/NFC/KMnO4) at 25 °C had a flavor of 3 and a general acceptance of 3.5, while control bananas had a flavor of 0.5 and a general acceptance of less than 1. On the 30th day of storage, bananas packaged with optimal active hydrogel at 25 °C had a toughness of 4 (N·s) and a firmness of 20 (N), while control bananas had a toughness of about 1 (N·s) and a firmness of about 8 (N). On the 30th day of storage, the humidity inside the package of bananas packed with the optimum active hydrogel at 25 °C was 59.5%, while the humidity in the control packages was 85%, indicating that the hydrogel was able to absorb the moisture inside the package. Totally it can be said that CMC/NFC/KmnO4 hydrogel can increase shelf life of a banana by simultaneously controlling ethylene and humidity in food packaging.

Flexible Quasi‐Solid‐State High‐Performance Aqueous Zinc Ion Hybrid Supercapacitor with Water‐in‐Salt Hydrogel Electrolyte and N/P‐Dual Doped Graphene Hydrogel Electrodes

AbstractAqueous zinc ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs) have attracted considerable attention owing to the bivalent nature, high abundance, and stability in the water‐based system of zinc. High energy density and superb power output can be achieved simultaneously by integrating a battery‐type electrode and a capacitive‐type electrode. However, there are still many issues that remain, including but not only hydrogen evolution reaction, dendrite growth, and dramatic capacity loss at low temperatures. Herein, a new type of hybrid “water‐in‐salt” hydrogel electrolyte based on 1 m Zn(CH3COO)2 and 20 m CH3COOK to expand the voltage window of ZHSCs to 0–2.1 V by suppressing the decomposition of water molecules is developed. The aqueous ZHSC delivers maximum energy of 100.2 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 487.5 W kg−1 based on the active materials and displays excellent cycling stability with 99.5% capacitance retention after 4000 cycles. Meanwhile, it is found that the assembled flexible quasi‐solid‐state ZHSC using the potassium polyacrylate/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel electrolyte (containing 1 m Zn(CH3COO)2 and 20 m CH3COOK) also shows high‐performance (energy density of 106.5 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 383.3 W kg−1) with temperature adaptability at low temperature and wearable application potential with excellent energy storage performance.

Enhanced properties of CoS2/Cu2S embedded N/S co-doped mesh-like carbonaceous composites for electromagnetic wave absorption

CoS2/Cu2S embedded N/S co-doped mesh-like carbonaceous composites with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorbing performance was successfully prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel spheres as starting materials by freeze-drying and high-temperature carbonization, in which thiourea as a source of N/S was favorably achieved. This newly designed three-dimensional mesh-like structures embedded with CoS2 and Cu2S nanoparticles was confirmed by various techniques, while the N/S co-doped carbonaceous matrix, would contribute to the enhancement of electron transport, interfacial polarization, dipole polarization, ferromagnetic resonance, and magnetic coupling. This unique three-dimensional mesh structure facilitates multiple reflections and scattering of electromagnetic waves within the single matrix. By adjusting the dosage ratio between components and the filling amount of filler, the composite material exhibited a good impedance matching, which promotes the synergy between conductive loss, dielectric loss, and magnetic loss, and improves the electromagnetic wave loss. When the composite is filled with 25 wt%, there is a minimum reflection loss value of −51.68 dB at 5.20 GHz, and when the coating thickness is 4.5 mm, the effective absorption bandwidth is 3.84 GHz when the coating thickness reaches 2.0 mm. The experimental results illustrated that the synthesized composites might be alternative materials for low-frequency band electromagnetic wave absorption.

Plasma Exosomes Loaded pH-Responsive Carboxymethylcellulose Hydrogel Promotes Wound Repair by Activating the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling Pathway in Type 1 Diabetic Mice.

Chronic wound healing plagues thousands of diabetic patients and brings social and economic burdens. Plasma exosomes (P-Exos), regarded as nanosized therapeutic agents, have shown therapeutic efficacy in promoting diabetic wound healing. The present work prepared the P-Exos-loaded pH-responsive carboxymethylcellulose (P-Exos-loaded CMC) hydrogel to investigate its ability to accelerate diabetic wound healing and to explore its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that the P-Exos-loaded CMC hydrogel was an effective therapeutic agent for accelerating diabetic wound repair. It promoted the local wound healing process in diabetic type 1 mice and enhanced angiogenesis and re-epithelialization via activating angiogenesis-related pathways mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels: Effect of its different amount on preservation of tart cherry anthocyanins and polyphenols

Anthocyanins and other polyphenols are responsible for the positive effects that consumption of tart cherries and their products has on human health. However, instability of these compounds under processing conditions is a significant problem for fruit processing industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) hydrogels for the delivery of the tart cherry polyphenols. For this purpose hydrogels with tart cherry juice (TJ) and 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% (w/w) of CMC were prepared. Total phenolics, proanthocyanidins and monomeric anthocyanins as well as individual phenolics were determined. Antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC, DPPH and ABTS assays) and inhibitory potential against two enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase were evaluated, as well. It was observed that hydrogel with 4% CMC (w/w) had the highest retention ability of phenolics (63%) and anthocyanins (80%) throughout preparation of hydrogels. That hydrogel also had the highest antioxidant potential. Results of this study showed that proper formulation of food systems is important in order to maximize retention of anthocyanins and other valuable polyphenols.

A self-healing carboxymethyl chitosan/oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel with fluorescent bioprobes for glucose detection

Self-healing hydrogel as a soft material with high durability and life-time has been successfully applied in various fields, including electronic skins, wearable electronic devices, and soft sensors. However, it is still a challenge to design a hydrogel with rapid self-healing, biodegradable and biosensing properties. Here, a self-healing carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC) hydrogel with fluorescent bioprobes was developed for glucose detection. In this biosensing system, gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and glucose oxidase (GOx) were encapsulated into the CMCS/OCMC hydrogel matrix as the fluorescent bioprobes. The CMCS/OCMC hydrogel with fluorescent bioprobes exhibited high sensitivity for glucose sensing with a linearly detection range of 100 μM to 5 mM and a detection limit of 0.029 mM, which covered the level of glucose in clinical detection. Furthermore, this hydrogel exhibited good biocompatibility. Finally, In vitro blood fluorescence tests and in vivo fluorescence investigation of the AuNCs-CMCS/OCMC hydrogel in diabetic mice indicated that this biocompatible and self-healing hydrogel based on fluorescent sensing system had potential application in implantable biosensing area for glucose monitoring.

Synthesis and Characterization of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose-Based Hydrogel Cross-linked with Citric Acid

Hydrogel is a three-dimensional hydrophilic polymer network which is capable of absorbing large amounts of water, urine, blood, and other biological fluids. The applications of hydrogel are present in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food, and medical fields. Hydrogel is used as a wound dressing, in a drug release system, in diapers, in and menstrual products. The purpose of this research is to produce carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) hydrogels using citric acid as the crosslinking agent, and to determine the optimum conditions to produce hydrogels with a high absorption capacity of liquids using various concentrations of citric acid. The first step of this research is to mix NaCMC and citric acid by stirring it with an agitator at room temperature until the mixture becomes homogeneous. Then, the mixture is casted in a petri dish and dried for 24 hours at 30°C. Then, the crosslinking reaction was carried out at 80°C for a certain time. After that, the gels are put out of the petri dish and tested to determine their values of water absorption capacity (swelling) and gel fractions. Lastly, the hydrogels are characterized using FTIR and SEM. The results showed that the NaCMC hydrogel with anhydrous citric acid with 10%-wt is the best with 3779.16% swelling ratio and gel fraction of 60%.

Carboxymethyl cellulose/tetracycline@UiO-66 nanocomposite hydrogel films as a potential antibacterial wound dressing

Designing an antibacterial agent with a suitable water vapor permeability, good mechanical properties, and controlled antibiotic release is a promising method for stopping bacterial infection in wound tissue. In this respect, this work aims to prepare novel flexible polymeric hydrogel films via integrating UiO-66 into the polymeric carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrogel for improving the mechanical and antibiotic release performances. First, we performed a green hydrothermal synthetic method to synthesis UiO-66 and followed by encapsulating Tetracycline (TC) through immersion in its aqueous solution. Also, the casting technique was utilized to integrate different concentrations of the TC-encapsulated UiO-66 (TC@UiO-66, 5% to 15%) in the polymeric CMC matrix (CMC/TC@UiO-66) cross-linked by citric acid and plasticized by glycerol. The release performance showed a low initial burst release with a controlled release over 72 h in the artificial sweat and simulated wound exudate (PBS, pH 7.4) media. The in vitro cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity results revealed a good cytocompatibility toward Human skin fibroblast (HFF-1) cells and a significant activity against both E. coli and S. aureus with 1.3 and 1.7 cm inhibition zone, respectively. The obtained results recommend CMC/TC@UiO-66 films as a potential antibacterial wound dressing.

Oxidation triggered formation of polydopamine-modified carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel for anti-recurrence of tumor

In this research, a hydrogel that combined the tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) ability was designed, using dopamine-modified sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-DA) as the matrix and Chlorin e6 (Ce6) as the photosensitizer. The gel formation was initiated by adding the oxidizing agent sodium periodate (NaIO4) to the CMC-DA solution, during which the dopamine was simultaneously oxidized to polydopamine (PDA) and NaIO4 was reduced to sodium iodide (NaI). The formed NaI was encapsulated in the hydrogel and endowed the hydrogel with computerized tomography (CT) imaging ability to monitor the hydrogel degradation and the tumor therapy process. Moreover, the photosensitizer Ce6 can be loaded by the gel system via directly soaking the hydrogel in the Ce6 solution. Under the near-infrared light irradiation, Ce6 can produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and the PDA can produce heat to trigger the tumor PDT and PTT respectively to eradicate the tumor recurrence. In general, the designed hydrogel is biocompatible and biodegradable, has a good photothermal conversion, drug loading and CT imaging ability, which laid the foundation for the rational design of biodegradable hydrogels for multifunctional applications.

Hybrid Bionanocomposite Containing Magnesium Hydroxide Nanoparticles Embedded in a Carboxymethyl Cellulose Hydrogel Plus Silk Fibroin as a Scaffold for Wound Dressing Applications.

Based on the promising biomedical developments in wound healing strategies, herein, a new nanobiocomposite scaffold was designed and presented by incorporation of carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels prepared using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linking agent (CMC hydrogel), a natural silk fibroin (SF) protein, and magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles (Mg(OH)2 NPs). Biological evaluation of the CMC hydrogel/SF/Mg(OH)2 nanobiocomposite scaffold was conducted via in vitro cell viability assays and in vivo assays, red blood cell hemolysis, and antibiofilm assays. Considering the cell viability percentage of Hu02 cells (84.5%) in the presence of the prepared nanobiocomposite after 7 days, it was indicated that this new nanoscaffold was biocompatible. The signs of excellent hemocompatibility and the high antibacterial activity were observed due to the low-point hemolytic effect (8.3%) and high-level potential in constraining the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation with a low OD value (0.13). Moreover, in vivo wound healing assay results indicated that the wound healing method was faster in mice treated with the prepared nanobiocomposite scaffold (82.29%) than the control group (75.63%) in 12 days. Apart from the structural characterization of the CMC hydrogel/SF/Mg(OH)2 nanobiocomposite through FTIR, EDX, FESEM, and TG analyses, compressive mechanical tests, contact angle, porosity, and swelling ratio studies indicated that the combination of the CMC hydrogel structure with SF protein and Mg(OH)2 NPs could significantly impact Young's modulus (from 11.34 to 10.14 MPa), tensile strength (from 299.35 to 250.78 MPa), elongation at break (12.52 to 12.84%), hydrophilicity, and water uptake capacity (92.5%).

Dual-drug delivery system based on the hydrogels of alginate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for colorectal cancer treatment

To improve the efficacy of chemotherapy and relieve the pain associated with colorectal cancer, a dual-drug delivery system (DDDS) is proposed. In this system, methotrexate (MTX) loaded CaCO3 (CaCO3/MTX) and aspirin (Asp) are co-entrapped in the hydrogels of alginate (Alg) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) crosslinked with Ca2+. The hydrogels can protect the anti-cancer drug of MTX from being absorbed in stomach and small intestine and ensure their efficacy at the target site of colorectum. More importantly, dual pH-responsive drug delivery can be achieved by the DDDS. Because the pH varies at small intestine and colorectum of human body, dual pH-responsive delivery of Asp and MTX can be achieved at the two organs, respectively, in response to ambient pH. These finding are of significant importance for medical science and pharmaceutics.