Magnetic-Graphene-Oxide-Incorporated Alginate Hydrogel Beads as a Potential Controlled Drug Delivery System

The aim of this study was to synthesize alginate hydrogel beads using ionotropic gelation containing pH-sensitive magnetic reduced graphene oxide (MGO). MGO was prepared using a hydrothermal method and surrounded by alginate beads. FTIR, XRD, FESEM, TEM, VSM and TGA showed that the synthesized beads have a quasi-spherical structure, exhibit superparamagnetic behavior, and are thermally stable up to 350 °C. The model drug, quercetin, was loaded into these particles with an efficiency of 25.8%. These particles showed a pH-dependent release. HFF-2 and Caco-2 cells were used to investigate cytotoxicity. At a concentration of 140 μg/mL, more than 80% viability was observed in HFF-2 cells and anticancer effects were observed on Caco-2 cells with a decrease in viability of less than 50% at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. The obtained cell culture results indicate that the hydrogel beads are biocompatible and act as a drug delivery system.