Single domain magnetic nanoparticles as a magneto-mechanical actuators for remote drug release from polyelectrolyte microcapsules

Modification of capsule shells with the synthesized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles aims not only to control the localization of capsules, but also to tune their permeability. Application of a super low frequency nonheating magnetic field (< 100 Hz) for these purposes offer prospects of high penetration ability into tissues, high locality and safety, which makes this method more preferable for using in vivo than magnetic hyperthermia. In this work, we develop a proof of concept for remotely controlled release of an encapsulated drug from polyelectrolyte microcapsules under the exposure to an alternating super low frequency magnetic field.

The characteristics of the tailor-made nanoparticles for the polyelectrolyte shell modification were analyzed to confirm their perspectives as magneto-mechanical actuators due to their ability to the Brownian relaxation. Polyelectrolyte microcapsules were obtained by the well known method of sequential deposition of polyelectrolytes on the surface of vaterite particles. We studied the time dependence of the amount of released fluorescently labeled high-molecular weight substance on the frequency of the applied magnetic field (100 mT, 20-100 Hz), and demonstrated that the application of a magnetic field with a frequency of 50 Hz leads to the most pronounced selective increase in the permeability of the shells. Our findings provide a promising application of composite magnetic microcapsules with permeability triggered by a super low frequency magnetic field for controlled release of drugs without dangerous heating and overheating of the biological tissues.

The work supported by the grant of the President of the Russian Federation (MK-1109.2021.1.3).