A dual stimuli-responsive cellulose-based double network hydrogel crosslinked with fluorescent carbon dots for controlled drug release
Jingwei Gong, Yern Chee Ching, Shuangwu Huang, Qingshan Niu, Anyu Li, Ching Kuan Yong, Thennakoon M. Sampath Udeni Gunathilake, Nguyen Dai Hai, Chuah Cheng Hock
Abstract
Cellulose-based carbon dots (C-CDs) with fluorescence and non-toxicity properties have attracted wide attention in the field of biomedicine. However, constructing dual-stimuli hydrogels incorporated with C-CDs using biomass-based raw materials with biodegradable and antimicrobial characteristics for drug sustained-release remains a challenge. Herein, an interpenetrated-network method was proposed in which the N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) monomer , regarded as the second network, was polymerized via photo-initiation. Additionally, C-CDs derived from lychee waste were used as cross-linking agent, which was introduced into β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) first-network system, to fabricate a dual-network fluorescence hydrogels called β-CD/CMC-(PVA-NIPAM). The design of dual-network hydrogel can effectively enhance swelling and water retention abilities within a certain time. To evaluate the biomedical application of the obtained hydrogel, ibuprofen , as a poorly water-soluble model drug, was loaded into the hydrogel utilizing advantages of possessing hydrophobic inner cavity of β-CD and the highly dense structure of double-network hydrogels, to complete release behavior under different pH and temperature, with the maximum release rate reaching up to 96 %. Furthermore, it is noted that the cellulose-based interpenetrated-network hydrogel has access to cells but exhibits no cytotoxicity in vitro. Herein, this dual-responsive fluorescent hydrogel is expected to play a potential role in drug delivery and drug tracking.