Multi-stimuli-responsive magnetic hydrogel based on Tragacanth gum as a de novo nanosystem for targeted chemo/hyperthermia treatment of cancer

A novel magnetic pH- and redox-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) based on natural Tragacanth gum (TG) was developed for targeted chemo/hyperthermia treatment of cancer. Firstly, acrylic acid (AA) monomer was grafted onto a maleic anhydride-functionalized TG macromonomer (MATGM) through a free radical copolymerization. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized through chemical co-precipitation, and subsequently were modified using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane coupling agent. The magnetic stimuli-responsive hydrogel for targeted cancer therapy was synthesized by the incorporation of modified-MNPs and folic acid (FA), and simultaneous crosslinking of TG-g-PAA copolymer using cystamine (Cys) moiety. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) was loaded into the fabricated magnetic hydrogel (MH), and its release was studied under pH- and redox-triggered condition. The anti-cancer activity of the Dox-loaded DDS was examined against MCF7 cells through MTT assay by both chemotherapy and chemo/hyperthermia therapy approaches. It was revealed that the developed DDS has higher anti-cancer activity (~ 24%) owing to its “smart” and slow drug release behavior as well as synergic effect of hyperthermia therapy. A novel magnetite pH- and redox-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) based on natural Tragacanth gum (TG) was design and developed for targeted chemo/hyperthermia therapy of solid tumors.