"Smart" drug loaded nanoparticle delivery from a self-healing hydrogel enabled by dynamic magnesium-biopolymer chemistry

We report a strategy to generate a self-healing and pH responsive hydrogel network between drug-loaded nanoparticles and natural polysaccharides via magnesium-bisphosphonate ligand interactions. The injectable drug depot disassembles in a tumor-specific environment, providing localized uptake of the nanoparticles, which is highly appreciated in drug delivery applications and manufacturing of drug-loaded biomaterials using a syringe-based deposition technique. A new self-healing hydrogel is developed using dynamic coordinate bonds between drug loaded MgSiO 3 nanoparticles and bisphosphonate functionalized hyaluronic acid. The nanocomposite network is stable at neutral pH, but is disassembled in an acidic environment, providing "smart" drug release.