Self-assembled PEG–carboxymethylcellulose nanoparticles/α-cyclodextrin hydrogels for injectable and thermosensitive drug delivery

Abstract

Novel cellulose hydrogels based on the inclusion complex between α-cyclodextrin and binary-drug loaded nanoparticles (carboxymethylcellulose–betulinic acid/hydroxycamptothecine nanoparticles) were prepared in aqueous media for the first time. As the reversible supramolecular assembly behavior, the thermosensitive hydrogels showed distinctive reversible gel–sol transition properties related to structure at a particular temperature. The temperature of the gel–sol transition was decided by the concentration between the nanoparticles and α-cyclodextrin. In addition, the injectable drug delivery applications of the BA/HCPT-loaded hydrogel showed more effectively than that of free drugs and BA/HCPT-loaded nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo studies. Such an injectable hydrogel with a unique structure and temperature responses would be a promising candidate for many intelligent delivery applications.