Xanthan-Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticle Composite Hydrogels for Non-Invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetically Assisted Drug Delivery

Implantable long-acting delivery systems able to minimize off-target side effects and locally provide non-invasive imaging reporting are of utmost importance offer a precise treatment internal diseases accurate assessment disease progression, such as in local infections tumor relapse following surgery, among other diseases. Here, biocompatible xanthan gum/Fe3O4-based drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticle composite hydrogel with suitable rheological properties theranostic performance was designed. The ultra-high efficacy the chemically modified polysaccharide matrix simultaneously encapsulate hydrophilic drugs iron oxide nanoparticles rendered final magnetically responsive enable thermally induced controlled drug by hyperthermia well monitoring resonance (MRI). In addition an enhanced activity compared free drug, results showed that application alternating field efficiently stimulated 3-fold faster release encapsulated passive conditions, whereas concentration-dependent shortening water protons’ relaxation time at clinical 3 T confirmed this T2-MRI contrast enhancer. Altogether, these open novel dimension for versatile hydrogels, from traditional topical uses more surgery interventions dentistry, oncology, or wound healing critical skin damage infections.