Functional Materials Letters
·
2024
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IF 1.2
Guanru Chang,Mingxiang Ji,Zhaopeng Qi,Long Chen,Haitao Zhang,Ye Yuan,Yansu Lan
To integrate pH/NIR dual-responsive drug release mechanisms with multimodal therapies for effective treatment of malignant tumors, hierarchical hydroxyapatite (HAp)/AuNR hybrid microspheres, consisting of a hollow HAp core and an AuNR shell, were facilely synthesized using phytic acid (IP6) as a sustainable template and phosphorus source. Urea served as the pore-forming agent and pH regulator during the synthesis process. The integration of AuNR into multifunctional HAp systems enabled NIR-responsive controllable drug release and photothermal ablation specifically at the tumorigenic site. The aggregation of AuNR within and outside the hybrid microspheres effectively hinders the release of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) from the hollow HAp microspheres, mitigating the initial burst release and minimizing side effects. The results indicate that the h-HAp/AuNR hybrid exhibited remarkable drug loading efficiency (159.9 μ g ⋅ mg − 1 ), with drug release exhibiting pH-dependent behavior due to the dissolution of HAp in acidic environments. Furthermore, MTT assays and fluorescence imaging demonstrate that DOX-loaded h-HAp/AuNR significantly enhance antitumor efficacy, achieving a cell survival rate of 12.3% at a concentration of 100 μ g ⋅ mL. This integrated system offers a promising approach for combined chemotherapeutic delivery and NIR photothermal therapy.
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高影响因子
POLYMER
·
2026
·
IF 4.5
Xiaofang Liu,Ziyan Li,Meng Zhao,Xuan Pu,Xiaoxiao Xing,Ke Wang
Photodegradable polymers containing nitrobenzyl esters groups and their derivatives (e.g., nitrobenzyl carbonate, NBC) have attracted considerable attention due to their precise UV-triggered degradation. Herein, we designed a novel NBC-containing monomer of 7-methyl-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-3-oxo-2,4,10-trioxa-7-azadodecan-12-yl methacrylate (NBC–N-EOMA) by integrating ethoxy/amino groups with NBC via precise spatial arrangement, and synthesized its homopolymer of P(NBC-N-EOMA) through reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. P(NBC-N-EOMA) exhibited triple responsiveness to temperature, pH, and light: it has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in pH = 5 buffer and a critical pH in aqueous solution, both regulable by the length of ethoxy chain, polymerization degree and concentration. UV/vis spectroscopy showed that after UV irradiation, the intensity of characteristic peak (265 nm) of NBC units decreased with irradiation time. 1 H NMR further revealed the reduced peak area of the methylene group in NBC, directly confirming UV-induced photodegradation, which also altered the LCST and critical pH of P(NBC-N-EOMA). Additionally, photodegradation-induced color change enabled photolithographic patterning of P(NBC-N-EOMA) on paper. Amphiphilic P(NBC-N-EOMA) self-assembled into spherical micelles with size tunable via acid or UV, and enabled controlled release of Nile Red (NR) under multi-stimuli. It also functioned as a hydrophobic block in amphiphilic diblock copolymers, retaining validated triple responsiveness and self-assembly. This work features simplified synthesis (high conversion, controllable molecular weight), high and tunable responsiveness of the homopolymer (no inter-block interference), and expandability via diverse hydrophilic blocks. Such polymers hold promise in photodegradable materials, photolithographic patterning, and biomedicine.
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高影响因子
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS APPLICATIONS
·
2018
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IF 2.082
Hongying Su,Wen Zhang,Yayun Wu,Xiaodong Han,Gang Liu,Qingming Jia,Shaoyun Shan
Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been widely researched as carrier systems, due to their excellent biocompatibility and responsiveness to external physiologic environment factors. In this study, dextran-based nanogel with covalently conjugated doxorubicin (DOX) was developed via Schiff base formation using the inverse microemulsion technique. Since the Schiff base linkages are acid-sensitive, drug release profile of the DOX-loaded nanogel would be pH-dependent. In vitro drug release studies confirmed that DOX was released much faster under acidic condition (pH 2.0, 5.0) than that at pH 7.4. Approximately 66, 28, and 9% of drug was released in 72 h at pH 2.0, 5.0, and 7.4, respectively. Cell uptake by the human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) demonstrated that the DOX-loaded dextran nanogel could be internalized through endocytosis and distributed in endocytic compartments inside tumor cells. These results indicated that the Schiff base-containing nanogel can serve as a pH-sensitive drug delivery system. And the presence of multiple aldehyde groups on the nanogel are available for further conjugations of targeting ligands or imaging probes.
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JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 5.2
Shuhui Zheng,Xiuzhi Fu,Jing Lu,Yiting Wang,Qingdong Ji,Liping Yang,Yixing Tu,Feng Gao
The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains difficult because of the insufficient drug accumulation at lesion sites and the difficulty in regulating the complex reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) microenvironment. Metal nanozymes, which have catalytic abilities similar to those of natural enzymes, provide a promising method for targeted drug delivery and therapeutic regulation. Therefore, in this research, a new oral nanoparticle drug delivery system was constructed. This system achieved targeted delivery and modulated ROS and H 2 S levels. In this system, curcumin (Cur) and magnesium (Mg) coordination driven nanozymes (C-M) were constructed, followed by encapsulation with chitosan, chondroitin sulfate, and alginate to create a C-M-encapsulated nanoparticle (C-M@aNP). C-M@aNP exhibited uniform particle size, strong stability in acidic environments, and pH-responsive characteristics, enabling effective scavenging of ROS and H 2 S. This nanosystem demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and facilitated CD44 receptor targeting, thereby promoting cellular uptake and endocytosis, which enhanced its anti-inflammatory functions. In a colitis mouse model, the C-M@aNP not only effectively regulated excessive levels of ROS and H 2 S in the inflamed colon but also reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β) while inhibiting the activity of proinflammatory enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS). In conclusion, C-M@aNP exhibits biological safety and significant therapeutic potential for IBD, suggesting its potential as a promising clinical treatment strategy. Download: Download high-res image (247KB) Download: Download full-size image
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Surfaces and Interfaces
·
2026
·
IF 6
Chuanjun Gu,Zhanping Zhang,Yuhong Qi,Miaomiao Ma,Chen Zhang
A pH-responsive nanocomposite enables on-demand antifoulant release. • Sharp release triggered by biofilm acidification minimizes environmental leakage. • The smart coating retains PDMS properties with enhanced pH-switchable antifouling. In this work, a pH-responsive antifouling system was developed to address the problem of inefficient use of antifoulants in antifouling coatings. A nanocomposite (MSN-MOF-CA@BIT) was fabricated via a layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly strategy, integrating mesoporous silica with a metal-organic framework for controlled antifoulant (BIT) release. This composite was then incorporated into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating matrix. The composite powder exhibited clear pH-dependent release kinetics, with minimal release at seawater pH and accelerated release under acidic conditions. Correspondingly, it demonstrated potent, pH-enhanced antibacterial activity, achieving rapid bacterial eradication in acidic environments. Within the PDMS coating, the composite showed excellent dispersibility, as confirmed by laser confocal microscopy. The coating’s surface roughness increased moderately with filler loading, while its low surface free energy was preserved (<20 mJ/m²). Mechanically, the composite acted as a reinforcing filler, increasing the fracture elongation to 345.6% and the tensile strength to 0.628 MPa at a 10 wt.% loading. Most importantly, the composite coating retained its pH-responsive functionality. Immersion tests confirmed the stability of the encapsulated BIT during coating preparation and its on-demand release in service. Bacterial adhesion assays directly verified the coating's pH-responsive antifouling efficacy: significantly less biofilm formed under acidic conditions triggered by bacterial metabolism, demonstrating the system's ability to prevent fouling expansion proactively. In summary, this study successfully fabricates and validates a novel nanocomposite-based pH-responsive controlled-release coating. It achieves efficient, environmentally triggered antifoulant utilization while maintaining and even enhancing the key physical properties of the PDMS coating, showing great promise for sustainable antifouling technologies. Download: Download high-res image (352KB) Download: Download full-size image
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JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
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2026
·
IF 15
Qiantao Zhang,Lai Chai,Hui Liu,Xueer Hu,Yujing Niu,Hongli Cao,Xin Rao,Mingyuan Zhou,Yuchi Chen,Xiaoqing Ye,Fangmei Zhou,Zhishan Ding,Bingqi Zhu
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory bowel disease that severely impairs patients' quality of life. Efficient oral colon-targeted delivery systems are urgently needed to improve local therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure. Herein, we developed a pH-responsive Eudragit S100-coated coacervate microdroplet system for the oral delivery of natural Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP), termed BSP@EU-Coac. The optimized BSP@EU-Coac microdroplets exhibited a spherical morphology with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 3.86 ± 0.82 μm, an encapsulation efficiency of 85.03 ± 3.66%, and a drug loading capacity of 9.29 ± 0.93%. In vitro release studies showed that BSP@EU-Coac effectively limited premature BSP release under simulated gastric and small intestinal conditions, while achieving pH-triggered sustained release in simulated colonic medium, with a cumulative release of approximately 88.25% within 96 h. In vitro assays further demonstrated that BSP@EU-Coac showed good cytocompatibility at the working concentration and markedly reduced intracellular ROS levels, with ROS fluorescence intensity decreased by 53.95% and 51.13% in RAW264.7 macrophages and Caco-2 cells, respectively. After oral administration, fluorescence imaging confirmed that BSP@EU-Coac preferentially accumulated in the inflamed colon and maintained detectable colonic retention for up to 24 h. In a DSS-induced colitis mouse model, BSP@EU-Coac significantly alleviated UC symptoms, as evidenced by improved body weight recovery, reduced disease activity index, and restoration of colon length from 4.99 ± 1.23 cm in the model group to 8.66 ± 1.92 cm. Mechanistically, BSP@EU-Coac modulated macrophage polarization by reducing the M1-like CD86⁺CD206⁻ population from 29.26% to 8.95% and increasing the M2-like CD86⁻CD206⁺ population to 20.70%, accompanied by suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, enhanced tight junction protein expression, reduced oxidative stress, and partial restoration of gut microbiota homeostasis. Overall, this study demonstrates that BSP@EU-Coac is a promising oral colon-targeted polysaccharide delivery platform for UC therapy through integrated regulation of oxidative stress, immune response, epithelial barrier repair, and gut microbiota.
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PubMed
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2026
·
IF 8.7
Ping Liang,Bingke Li,Guorui Liu,Junran Xu,Qingyue Zhang,Yuchao Chen,Xinling Wu,Haoming Zhang,Zhongyu Li,Zhihui Li
Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) serves as a dual crosslinker forming Schiff bases and electrostatic interactions. • Nanogels show pH-triggered release: 88.5% at pH 5.0 vs. 23.5% at pH 7.0. • TMX@CS-PLP NGs improve foliar wettability, rainfastness, and insecticidal efficacy. • The biocompatible nanogel platform enables intelligent, eco-friendly pesticide delivery. Conventional pesticide formulations suffer from poor targeting and low active ingredient utilization due to their inability to respond to microenvironmental signals at pest feeding sites. Here, we developed pH-responsive nanogels by crosslinking chitosan with PLP via Schiff base formation and electrostatic interactions using an inverse emulsion method, and loaded them with the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (TMX). The resulting TMX@CS-PLP nanogels exhibited spherical morphology with a hydrodynamic diameter of 428.1 nm, a loading capacity of 9.2%, and an encapsulation efficiency of 79.4%. The Schiff base crosslinks imparted pH-dependent degradability: at acidic pH (5.0, simulating pest gut or infection sites), the nanogels released 88.5% of encapsulated TMX over 72 h, whereas only 23.5% was released at neutral pH (7.0, mimicking leaf surface conditions). The nanogel formulation also improved foliar wettability (contact angle reduced from 84.5o to 68.1o) and enhanced rainfastness compared with the technical suspension. In laboratory bioassays against Myzus persicae , TMX@CS-PLP nanogels caused 76.0% mortality after 24 h, significantly higher than the technical suspension (46.7%), while the blank nanogel showed no phytotoxicity or inherent insecticidal activity. These results demonstrate that PLP-crosslinked chitosan nanogels offer a biocompatible, pH-responsive platform for precision pesticide delivery, with enhanced foliar deposition and improved efficacy. Download: Download high-res image (124KB) Download: Download full-size image
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高影响因子
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
·
2026
·
IF 13.8
Qian Han,Peiyao Si,Xinyi Ju,Huajiang Zhang,Lina Xu,Jingwei Wu,Hanyu Li,Ning Xia
Acid heating converted EWP into fibrillar aggregates. • pH regulated aggregation and structural evolution of F-EWP. • Fibrillated EWP improved air-water interfacial adsorption. • pH 5 promoted foaming capacity and long-term foam stability. Fibrillation is an effective approach for enhancing the interfacial functionality and foam stability of egg white protein (EWP). However, the highly acidic conditions commonly used for fibril formation are incompatible with the pH ranges of most practical food systems, and the pH-shift-induced structural evolution and foam stabilization behavior of whole fibrillated egg white protein (F-EWP) remain poorly understood. Herein, acid–heat-induced F-EWP was prepared and compared with EWP adjusted to identical pH values to elucidate the effects of pH on protein structural evolution, interfacial adsorption, and foaming behavior. Acid–heat treatment converted EWP from its native globular conformation into a β-sheet-enriched fibrillar structure. Subsequent pH modulation further reshaped the structural features, interfacial adsorption characteristics, and foaming performance of F-EWP. Relative to EWP, F-EWP consistently exhibited lower dynamic interfacial tension, higher interfacial pressure, and superior foaming properties across all tested pH conditions. Foam rheology and microstructural observations further revealed that the improved foam stability of F-EWP was primarily associated with enhanced foam viscoelasticity, a finer bubble architecture, and more efficient retention of the liquid phase within the lamellae and Plateau borders. Notably, F-EWP at pH 5 showed local aggregation/entanglement and conformational rearrangement, accompanied by low interfacial tension and high K p (−5.19 × 10 −2 ± 0.47) and K r (−4.67 × 10 −2 ± 0.03), resulting in the highest FA and foam stability of 207.3 ± 12.46% and 74.67 ± 6.12%, respectively. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for broadening the application of F-EWP in pH-variable food foam systems. Download: Download high-res image (468KB) Download: Download full-size image
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REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
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2026
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IF 5.4
Huidong Fang,Shiai Xu,Siyu Han,Bin Zhao,Chao Zhang,Wanji Zhou
T-shaped droplet microfluidic device was used for preparing 5-Fu-loaded chitosan microspheres. • 5-Fu-loaded chitosan microspheres exhibit pH-responsive release patterns and sustainable release characteristics for up to 60 days. • The average particle size of the microspheres is 3.90 ± 0.57 μm, and the particle size distribution is narrow. • Drug-loaded microspheres of different particle sizes have different drug release rates and cycles. Microsphere formulations are a promising drug delivery system for targeted response and prolonged sustained release. However, conventional emulsification crosslinking methods for microsphere preparation usually result in a broad particle size distribution, large particle size, poor uniformity, and consequently erratic drug release kinetics. In this investigation, chitosan microspheres encapsulating 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu CS-MS) were fabricated using a T-type droplet microfluidic device, and the formulation was optimized by single-factor experiments. The resulting microspheres had a consistent drug release profile, a smooth surface, high monodispersity, and a uniform particle size distribution with an average particle size of 3.90 ± 0.57 μm. The polymer-drug interaction in 5-Fu CS-MS was analyzed using FTIR and XRD. The XPS and EDS results confirmed the occurrence of a Schiff base reaction between glutaraldehyde (GA) and chitosan (CS), indicating successful encapsulation. TGA results revealed that the cross-linking reaction enhanced the thermal stability of the microspheres. Biocompatibility assessments using Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) line demonstrated the safety and compatibility of the fabricated microspheres. More importantly, the in vitro release results illustrated a pH-responsive drug release profile and sustained release of 5-Fu CS-MS for a period up to 60 days. In summary, the CS sustained-release microspheres produced using the microfluidic technique have the potential for intelligent response, precise drug delivery, and prolonged sustained release of small-molecule drugs. Download: Download high-res image (197KB) Download: Download full-size image
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高影响因子
Pharmaceutics
·
2026
·Vol. 18
·期 5
·586
·
IF 6.9
Encheng Tian,Yunchang Zhang,Runsheng Wang,Haohan Wu,Mingjian Sun,Yingyi Yan,Lan She,Zhiqiang Ma
Background/Objectives:Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is severely limited by the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, which restricts reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and compromises therapeutic efficacy. To address this critical barrier, we engineered a multifunctional nanocomposite (Pha@FSMP) integrating oxygen supplementation, pH-responsive drug release, and magnetic targeting for enhanced PDT.Methods:The platform is constructed with a superparamagnetic Fe3O4core, coated in amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (mSiO2) loaded with MnO2as an oxygen-evolving catalyst, and surface-conjugated with the pH-responsive copolymer PEG-b-PAsp to encapsulate the hydrophobic photosensitizer Pha. We characterized its core physicochemical and functional properties, and evaluated its photodynamic efficacy via in vitro cellular assays and in vivo studies in a murine melanoma model.Results:In vitro assays demonstrated significant elevation of intracellular ROS levels and enhanced PDT-mediated cytotoxicity against B16-F10 melanoma cells. In vivo studies in a murine melanoma model confirmed potent tumor growth inhibition, metastasis suppression, and prolonged survival, accompanied by excellent biosafety.Conclusions:Collectively, this oxygen-augmented nanocomposite represents a promising strategy to overcome hypoxia-associated PDT resistance, offering a translatable platform for improved cancer therapy.
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PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2026
·
IF 7.8
Shuyan Chen,Donghong Li,Mengxue Fan,Yijing Liu,Rong Wang
The development of bone adhesives with high mechanical strength, controlled degradability, and bioactivity remains a formidable challenge in orthopedic repair. In this study, a bioactive glass (BG)-reinforced tetracalcium phosphate/O-phospho-l-serine/poly(acrylic acid) (TTCP/OPLS/PAA) composite adhesive was fabricated to address the acidity, limited bioactivity, and insufficient wet adhesion associated with existing formulations. Systematic optimization of BG, OPLS, and PAA ratios established a balanced coordination network among PAA carboxyl groups, OPLS phosphate groups, and Ca2+ ions released from TTCP/BG. The optimized adhesive (B5O30T95P60) exhibited strong initial bonding to bone and titanium, with compressive shear strength increasing to 7.36 MPa and compressive strength to 88.04 MPa after 24 h in simulated body fluid. BG addition effectively neutralized the acidic microenvironment (initial pH 6.50) and established a stable weakly alkaline milieu (pH 7.10–7.50), which is favorable to osteoblast proliferation and early osteogenesis. The adhesive showed rapid hydroxyapatite formation, steady mass loss over 8–12 weeks, and a degradation profile compatible with bone remodeling. Incorporation of vancomycin conferred potent antibacterial activity without compromising mechanical integrity, while coincorporation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) further enhanced osteogenic performance. In a rat critical-sized femoral defect model, the BMP-2/vancomycin-loaded adhesive facilitated robust cortical bridging, higher bone volume fraction, reduced porosity, and nearly restored three-point bending strength relative to native bone, outperforming commercial PMMA bone cement. Overall, the BG-reinforced TTCP/OPLS/PAA adhesive integrates high-strength fixation, bioactivity, infection control, and osteoinductive capability, offering a promising platform for next-generation bone repair materials. Further evaluation in large animal models is warranted to support clinical translation.
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高影响因子
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 10.2
Mingdong Zhang,Liang Li,Di An
Sunflower seed protein (SSP) is an emerging plant-derived protein ingredient with high nutritional quality. However, the relatively low solubility of SSP restricted its broader application in food systems. In this work, ultrasound combined with pH-shifting was used to improve the solubility of SSP. Meanwhile, the effects of ultrasound applied at different stages of pH-shifting on the structural and functional properties of SSP were also elucidated. Ultrasound treatment at 150 W and 400 W applied during and after pH-shifting significantly reduced the particle size of SSP and enhanced electrostatic repulsion. SDS-PAGE profiles indicated that the combined treatment decreased the intensity of albumin bands and promoted the appearance of lower molecular weight fragments. Ultrasound at pH 12.0 induced structural unfolding of SSP, exposed more hydrophobic tryptophan residues, and markedly improved emulsifying activity index (13.60 ± 0.15 m 2 /g), emulsifying stability index (566.09 ± 37.36 min) and oil-holding capacity (7.65 ± 0.28 g/g). In contrast, ultrasound applied after pH-shifting significantly increased the molecular flexibility of SSP and strengthened hydrogen bonding interactions, and the solubility of SSP increased by 65.01 % at an ultrasound power of 150 W. Overall, pH-shifting combined with ultrasound markedly enhanced SSP solubility and improved its functionality, expanding its potential use in food systems.
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高影响因子
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