1. Electrostimulated Release of Neutral Drugs from Polythiophene Nanoparticles: Smart Regulation of Drug–Polymer Interactions
- Author
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Puiggalí‐Jou, Anna, Micheletti, Paolo, Estrany, Francesc, del Valle, Luis J., and Alemán, Carlos
- Abstract
Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles are loaded with curcumin and piperine by in situ emulsion polymerization using dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid both as a stabilizer and a doping agent. The loaded drugs affect the morphology, size, and colloidal stability of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, kinetics studies of nonstimulated drug release have evidenced that polymer···drug interactions are stronger for curcumin than for piperine. This observation suggests that drug delivery systems based on combination of the former drug with PEDOT are much appropriated to show an externally tailored release profile. This is demonstrated by comparing the release profiles obtained in presence and absence of electrical stimulus. Results indicate that controlled and time‐programmed release of curcumin is achieved in a physiological medium by applying a negative voltage of −1.25 V to loaded PEDOT nanoparticles. An electric‐field‐responsive polymeric nanoparticles systemfor programmed drug delivery is presented. More specifically, curcumine loaded into stabilized poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) electroactive nanoparticles is released by applying a controlled external voltage. Curcumine···polymer interactions are crucial to regulate the release. This nontoxic biocompatible system is of potential use for advanced biomedical applications.
- Published
- 2017
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