Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed in pluronic F127 hydrogel: potential uses in topical applications

• Grant number: 17/03343-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Duration: April 01, 2017 - September 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Paula Silvia Haddad Ferreira
• Grantee: Paula Silvia Haddad Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present study is focused on the synthesis and characterization of nitric oxide (NO)-releasing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs), and their incorporation in Pluronic F127 hydrogel with great potential for topical applications. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of acetylacetonate iron (Fe(acac)3), and coated with the thiol containing molecule mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), leading to Fe3O4-MSA NPs. The obtained NPs were characterized by different techniques. The results showed that the Fe3O4-MSA NPs have a mean diameter of 11 nm, at solid state, and a superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Fe3O4-MSA NPs have average hydrodynamic sizes of (78.0 ± 0.9) nm, average size distribution (PDI) of 0.302 ± 0.04, and zeta potential of (-22.10 ± 0.55) mV. Free thiol groups on the Fe3O4-MSA NPs surface were nitrosated by the addition of sodium nitrite, yielding S-nitrosated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-S-nitroso-MSA NPs), which act as spontaneous NO donor upon S-N bond cleavage. The amount of (86.4 ± 4.7) ¼mol of NO was released per gram of Fe3O4-S-nitroso-MSA NPs. In order to enhance NPs dispersion, Fe3O4-MSA NPs were incorporated in Pluronic F127 hydrogel (3.4% w/w), and characterized by different techniques. Rheological measurements suggest a potential use for Fe3O4-MSA NPs dispersed in Pluronic hydrogel for topical applications. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) shown that the NPs are embedded within the Pluronic film while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum of the Fe3O4-MSA NPs samples revealed the presence of iron, oxygen, carbon and sulfur, confirming the MSA molecule on NPs surface. (AU)