Biocompatible porous PAM/CNT nanocomposite hydrogel films for sustained drug delivery and cancer therapy

This study presents a novel nanocomposite hydrogel film, composed of physically crosslinked polyacrylamide (PAM) and carbon nanotube (CNT) flakes, as a potential drug delivery system. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis elucidated the microstructure and interconnected pore network of the hydrogel, highlighting their direct influence on drug loading capacity and release profile. The hydrogel exhibited outstanding swelling behavior and structural stability under physiological conditions. These attributes rendered the hydrogel suitable as an effective drug carrier for release of doxorubicin (DOX), as a model drug. The DOX-loaded hydrogel demonstrated a sustained release profile at pH 5.5. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the hydrogel were assessed through MTT assays using human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines over 24- and 48-hour intervals. The results confirmed the biocompatibility of the hydrogel, while the DOX-loaded hydrogel effectively inhibited MCF-7 proliferation cells, validating its therapeutic potential. Moreover, toxicity evaluations, including brine shrimp lethality and hemolysis assays, confirmed the low toxicity and excellent hemocompatibility of the hydrogel. These findings underscore the potential of the PAM/CNT nanocomposite hydrogel as a versatile and safe drug delivery system, with promising applications in advanced therapeutic strategies.