Preparation of complex nano-particles based on alginic acid/poly[(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] and a drug vehicle for doxorubicin release controlled by ionic strength

Monodispersed complex nano-particles were synthesized simply by mixing alginic acid (ALG-H) with poly[(2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (PDEMA) in pure water without any surfactants or additives. The structure and properties of the nano-particles were extensively studied. The surface charges and average sizes of the nano-particles were varied with the composition of ALG-H and PDEMA. The nano-particles were formed through electrostatic attraction force, and they were very stable in pure water, but dissociated in salt solutions. An anticancer drug (doxorubicin) was loaded in the nano-particles and released in different saline solutions. The release profiles revealed that the drug release could be controlled by adjusting the pH and salt concentrations. The nano-particles displayed apparent advantages such as simple preparation process, low cost, free of organic solvents, size controllable, biodegradable and biocompatible.

Graphical abstractThe formation and Zeta potentials of nanoparticles with varied molar ratios of ALG-H to PDEMA.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide