Chelerythrine loaded composite magnetic thermosensitive hydrogels as a novel anticancer drug-delivery system

Chelerythrine (CHE) is an alkaloid with significant anticancer activity. However, CHE is required repeat administration to achieve the treatment effect due to its short half-life. To address this issue, a novel CHE controlled release drug delivery system consisted of composite magnetic-thermosensitive hydrogels (CMHs) with magnetocaloric properties was designed. The CMHs consisting of magnetic vinyl-Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 with good water dispersibility and crosslinking ability, and N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide copolymers , were synthesized by in situ polymerization. Vibrating sample magnetometer characterization verified that integration of vinly-Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 nanoparticles in the hydrogel network provided the sensitivity to magnetic fields. The CHE release experiment showed that the CMHs have temperature/magnetic field-triggered and sustained release properties, and the higher cumulative release amount could be achieved under higher temperature conditions or in the presence of an intermittent alternative magnetic field. It can be concluded that composite magnetic-thermosensitive hydrogels could be a potential anticancer drug delivery system with excellent thermotriggered release capabilities for CHE in magnetic hyperthermia.