A novel pH-and temperature sensitive polymer based on MoS2 modified poly (N-Isopropyl Acrylamide)/ allyl acetoacetate for doxorubicin delivery: synthesis, characterization, in-vitro release and cytotoxicity studies

In this paper, we aimed to develop the nanocarrier based on poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide)—allyl acetoacetate grafted MoS 2 nanosheets. The obtained polymer modified with methoxy poly (ethylene glycol) and folic acid to enable enhanced adsorption of doxorubicin. The synthesized polymer was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of main experimental parameters on the doxorubicin adsorption were investigated and the maximum adsorption capacity was obtained at pH = 8, contact time = 15 min, and temperature = 50 °C. The results indicated that the doxorubicin release was considerably accelerated at a simulated cancer fluids (pH = 5.6) in contrast to simulated human blood fluids (pH = 7.4). Also, the cytotoxicity of the obtained nanocarrier was evaluated via MTT assay against KB cancer cell lines. The doxorubicin release and subsequent induction of apoptosis enhanced after near infrared irradiation, indicating that this nanocarrier can be employed as a dual responsive drug delivery system, with controlled drug release through near infrared irradiation and pH. The adsorption data followed the Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 16.83 mg g −1 . Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process was fitted with the pseudo-second-order model.