Reduction-sensitive N,N′-dimethacryloylcystine nanohydrogel for triggered drug release

A new cross-linked nanohydrogel was designed and synthesized in ethanol using distillation–precipitation polymerization in which N,N′-dimethacryloylcystine (NDMCC) was used both as a cross-linker and a monomer. The nanogel possesses not only a high cross-linking density but also a good stability in an aqueous solution. Dynamic average diameter of the nanogels in aqueous solution was 433nm, significantly larger than that obtained from the SEM characterization (150nm). The nanogels can load cationic drugs such as doxorubicin with a high drug-loading capacity (48.3%) and drug loading efficiency (93.4%). Moreover, Doxorubicin-release results demonstrated that the release rate can be significantly accelerated in the presence of DTT/GSH, revealing the great potential of the nanogels for reduction-triggered drug-release systems.