One-step fabrication and characterization of Fe3O4/HBPE-DDSA/INH nanoparticles with controlled drug release for treatment of tuberculosis

In this study, Fe3O4/hyperbranched polyester-(2-dodecen-1-yl)succinic anhydride2-Dodecen-1-/isoniazid magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4/HBPE-DDSA/INH MNPs) with controlled drug release characteristics were synthesized successfully by a simple one-step method. Orthogonal experiments were performed to optimize the loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of the MNPs. The structure of the Fe3O4/HBPE-DDSA/INH MNPs was characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device measurements, while their properties were characterized based on swelling behavior observations, in-vitro release experiments, and cytotoxicity analysis. The results indicated that the fabricated Fe3O4/HBPE-DDSA/INH MNPs had a high drug-loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency. Further, the drug-release rate of the MNPs was higher in an acidic buffer, indicating that the MNPs were pH-responsive. Swelling studies revealed that the MNPs exhibited diffusion-controlled drug release, while in-vitro release studies revealed that the drug-release properties could be controlled readily, owing to the high encapsulation efficiency of the MNPs and the uniform dispersion of the drug in them. These results collectively suggest that this multifunctional nontoxic drug delivery system, which exhibits good magnetic properties and pH-triggered drug-release characteristics, should be suitable for the treatment of tuberculosis.