Preparation and Characterization of PEG-Fe3O4 Nanocomposites as an Efficient Controlled Release System for Catechin
نویسندگان
1 Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Al-Ameed, Iraq
2 Department of Medical Laboratories Technology, Al-Nisour University College, Nisour Seq. Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq
3 Warka University College, Iraq
4 Department of Family Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Tashkent State Medical University, Republic of Uzbekistan
5 Department of Psychiatry, Narcology and Medical Psychology, Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara, Republic of Uzbekistan
6 Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology , Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino, Bukhara, Republic of Uzbekistan
7 Department of Biochemistry, Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
8 Ahl Al bayt University, College of pharmacy, Kerbala, Iraq
9 Al-Hadi University College, Baghdad, Iraq
10 Department of Medical Laboratory Technics, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq
11 Mazaya University College, Iraq
12 Termez State University of Engineering and Agrotechnology, Termez, 190100, Uzbekistan
13 Department of Chemistry, Urgench State University, Urgench, Uzbekistan
doi
10.22052/JNS.2025.04.024چکیده
This study reports the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of PEG-coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanocomposites as a stimuli-responsive platform for the controlled release of catechin. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a coprecipitation method under inert conditions, followed by surface functionalization with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to enhance colloidal stability, biocompatibility, and dispersibility in physiological media. The PEG-Fe3O4 nanocomposites were characterized by FE-SEM and FT-IR to confirm morphology, core–shell architecture, and successful PEG grafting. Catechin was loaded onto the PEG-Fe3O4 matrix via physical adsorption and hydrogen bonding, achieving loading efficiency of ~82% and a capacity of ~12.7 mg catechin per 100 mg nanocomposites. In vitro release studies under simulated physiological conditions (pH 7.4 PBS, 37 °C) demonstrated sustained catechin release with pH-responsive behavior: 58.3% release at 24 h at pH 7.4 versus 89.2% at pH 5.0, indicating enhanced release in acidic/tumor-like environments. Magnetic-field triggering further accelerated release (78.5% at 24 h under AMF). Release kinetics were best described by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R2 > 0.94), with diffusion and polymer relaxation contributing to release (n ~ 0.43–0.51). Stability assessments showed minimal iron leaching (<5%) over 48 h, and retained magnetic responsiveness for potential reuse. The results underscore PEG–Fe3O4 nanocomposites as versatile, stimuli-responsive carriers for catechin with potential applications in targeted and controlled nutraceutical or therapeutic delivery.
