NIR light, pH, and redox-triple responsive nanogels for controlled release

Abstract

Herein we report a novel spiropyran (SP)-based organic–inorganic composite nanogel (NG), which was prepared using upconverting nanoparticles, spiropyran, acrylic acid and N,N′-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) compounds under emulsion polymerisation. Compared with other polymer nanoparticles, the crosslinked multi-stimulus responsive nanogels can adjust the release rate by altering more of the parameters and this can meet the needs of a complex biological environment to control the release of drugs. Doxorubicin hydrochlorides were used as a simulated drug to test the drug loading performance and controllable drug release performance of the composite NGs. Under near-infrared light (NIR) irradiation, an acidic environment or a reducing agent, the delivery of the loaded drugs was by controlled release over 24 hours. Under mild triple stimulation (NIR light, pH 6, and 4 mM reducing agent), the loaded drug could be released more efficiently. The organic–inorganic composite NGs with highly-efficient and controllable release performance for loaded drugs provide many choices for novel stimulus responsive nanocarriers.