Design and development of pH-sensitive nanocarriers using molecularly imprinted polymers for the targeted delivery of sodium thiopental.

Sodium thiopental (STL) is an ultrashort-acting barbiturate that acts quickly on the brain, reduces levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine, and has neuroprotective properties. However, its side effects, especially in high doses, can be severe, including respiratory failure and cardiac complications. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are three-dimensional polymeric networks that mimic the structure and functionality of target molecules.

Photo-Switchable Nanomechanical Systems Comprising a Nanocontainer (Montmorillonite) and Light-Driven Molecular Jack (Azobenzene-Imidazolium Ionic Liquids) as Drug Delivery Systems; Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Release Studies.

In this work, photoresponsive nanomechanical systems were prepared through the intercalation of positively charged photoswitching molecular jacks (azobenzene ionic liquids, Azo-ILs) within montmorillonite (MMT) layers (MMT@Azo-ILs). The study shows that MMT@Azo-ILs are photosensitive and the synthesized molecular jacks could change the basal distances of MMT layers upon UV irradiation. These changes come from changes in the structure and geometry of Azo molecules (i.

A Smart pH-responsive Nano-Carrier as a Drug Delivery System: A hybrid system comprised of mesoporous nanosilica MCM-41 (as a nano-container) & a pH-sensitive polymer (as smart reversible gatekeepers): Preparation, characterization and in vitro release studies of an anti-cancer drug.

A smart pH-responsive drug nano-carrier for controlled release of anti-cancer therapeutics was developed through a facile route. The nano-carrier consisted of two main parts: first, the nano-container part (that mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM-41) were selected for this aim); and second, pH-sensitive gatekeepers (that a pH-sensitive polymer, Poly4-vinylpyridine, played this role). In the first step, MCM-41 was synthesized via template assisted sol-gel process.