A microgel composite hydrogel based on glucose response for drug delivery

Abstract Diabetes is a chronic condition that will affect diabetic patients throughout their lives. Glucose‐sensitive hydrogels offer significant advantages in diabetes management due to their excellent biocompatibility and ability to regulate blood glucose levels. To improve the glucose sensitivity of these hydrogels under physiological conditions, we developed a glucose‐responsive acrylic graphene oxide (GOM)/nanocomposite hydrogels using a novel method. This was achieved by creating GOM‐poly(3‐acrylamidophenylboronic acid‐ N , N ‐dimethylacrylamide‐co‐acrylamide) (AAPBA‐DMAA‐co‐AAm) microgels through the emulsion polymerization of GOM, dimethyl acrylamide (DMAA), acrylamide (AAm), and 3‐acrylamidophenylboronic acid (AAPBA). Subsequently, the GOM/nanocomposite hydrogels with rapid glucose responsiveness were achieved by free radical polymerization with microgels as micro‐crosslinkers and GOM as an additive. Their composition, surface morphology, and mechanical properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, XRD, scanning electron microscope, and modular compact rheometer. The microgels effectively addressed the issue of sluggish kinetics typical of monomer‐based hydrogels. At a pH of 7.3 and glucose concentration of 20 mM, the GOM‐poly(AAPBA‐DMAA‐co‐AAm) microgels reached swelling equilibrium in 18 min with a swelling degree (SD) of 15.93%. The GOM/nanocomposite hydrogels with GOM of 1.0%wt accomplished an SD of 20.31% in 40 min, making clear significant enrichments in response speed and strength. Using metformin hydrochloride as a model drug, at a glucose concentration of 10 mM, the cumulative release rates of metformin hydrochloride within 10 and 24 h reached 51.92% and 61.78%, respectively. At a glucose concentration of 40 mM, these release rates increased to 73.95% and 82.07%, respectively. This study introduces an effective method for providing glucose‐responsive microgel composite hydrogels, which can be widely used in biomedical fields, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, and so on. Highlights The surface of graphene oxide was modified to prepare propylene‐based graphene oxide with double bonds. The propylene‐based graphene oxide/nanocomposite hydrogels enhance the glucose response speed. High cumulative drug release rate and controlled release.