Production and characterization of a new targeted pH-responsive sporopollenin system for controlled drug release

A new pH stimuli drug carrier platform was fabricated based on amine modified sporopollenin for targeted and controlled drug delivery. For this purpose, human serum albumin (HSA) was immobilized on 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane functionalized sporopollenin (Sp-APTS). Then, irinotecan (IR) was loaded to the albumin modified sporopollenin at various pH levels (2.2, 4.0, 6.0, 7.4, and 9.0). The release studies of irinotecan from drug loaded sporopollenin systems were carried out by using buffers at various pH levels such as 2.2, 4.0, 6,0, 7.4, and 9.0. The loading and release amount of IR were determined by using fluorescence spectroscopy. the results showed that the maximum loading pH was pH 4.0 with 23.44 µg. we evaluate the results in terms of the controlled release, the systems are more controllable towards basic region after pH 4.0 depends on time and pH level. Characterization of the systems was run by using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. One of the biodegradable biopolymers, polysaccharide based controlled drug delivery system makes the pharmaceutical formulation more bioavailable in cancer therapy. Graphical abstract This study examines the synthesis of the APTS modified sporopollenin (Sp-APTS) for a controlled drug release system. Immobilization of albumin and drug loading to the Sp-APTS-HSA were carried out for development of pH-responsive release system.