•Thermoresponsive double hydrophilic copolymers are one of the most important candidates of biomaterials and have capability of reversible micellization and dissociation responding to the change of temperature.•We prepared thermoresponsive double-hydrophilic glycopolymers (TDHG) nanofibers for the first time by a free radical copolymerization and electrospinning method.•The cytotoxicity of TDHG nanofibers were investigated for their potential as drug carriers in controlled drug delivery for targeting of hepatic cells.The thermoresponsive double-hydrophilic glycopolymer (DHG), Poly (6-O-vinyl-nonanedioyl-d-galactose-co-N-vinylcaprolactam) (P(OVNG-co-NVCL)) was synthesized via a chemo-enzymatic process and a free radical copolymerization and the resulting nanofibers were fabricated using an electrospinning process. The desired lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between 32 and 40 °C of the DHG polymers was achieved by adjusting the molar fraction of galactose monomer in the copolymers during the synthesis. The thermoresponsive DHG polymers were found to have good cytocompatibility with Hela cells as determined by the MTT assay, and special recognition of the protein peanut agglutinin (PNA). The drug release properties of these newly designed thermoresponsive DHG P(OVNG-co-NVCL) nanofibers are temperature regulated, can target specific proteins and have the potential application in the field of sustained drug release.Cluster-glycoside effect of PNA-FITC and P(OVNG-co-NVCL).

The thermoresponsive glycopolymers poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-6-O-vinyladipoyl-D-glucose) (poly-NIPAM-co-OVDG; PND) and poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-6-O-vinylazelaicoyl-D-glucose) (poly-NIPAM-co-OVZG; PNZ) have been prepared by a free radical polymerization process, and subsequently processed into blended fibers with poly-L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone (PLCL) using electrospinning. The fibers were found to inhibit the non-specific adsorption of bovine serum albumin onto their surfaces, but could selectively recognize the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A). The adsorbed Con A can easily be desorbed with a glucose solution. The synthesized fibers were found to have excellent biocompatibility with HeLa cells using the MTT assay, but when loaded with Con A could be used to induce death in the cell population.

•Novel galactose-functionalised thermoresponsive injectable microgels were synthesized.•The LCST, VPTT and Tsol–gel of the materials could be controlled by varying the monomer ratios.•The microgels were loaded with the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA), and in vitro release studies showed that the BSA release kinetics depend upon the temperature and copolymer composition.Novel galactose functionalized thermoresponsive injectable microgels, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-6-O-vinyladipoyl-d-galactose) P(NIPAAm-co-VAGA), have been fabricated using a combination of enzymatic transesterification and emulsion copolymerization. The microgels exhibit reversible temperature-responsive behavior, which can be tuned by varying the monomer feed ratio. The lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) of the materials are close to body temperature and can result in a rapid thermal gelation at 37 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed the resultant microgels to have porous structures, and dynamic light scattering experiments indicated a dramatic reduction in particle size as solutions of the polymers are heated through the LCST. The polymers can be loaded with protein (bovine serum albumin; BSA), and in vitro studies showed that the BSA release kinetics depend upon the temperature and copolymer composition. Microgels based on P(NIPAAm-co-VAGA) could hence serve as candidates for site-specific sustained release drug delivery systems.

Novel double-hydrophilic thermosensitive statistical glycopolymers, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-6-O-vinyladipoyl-d-glucose), were fabricated using a chemoenzymatic process and free radical copolymerization. The structures of the glycopolymers were confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR, and their molar mass distributions determined by gel permeation chromatography. UV–vis spectroscopy data showed that the polymers exhibited reproducible temperature-responsive behavior. The self-assembly and critical aggregation concentration was verified by fluorescence spectroscopy with pyrene acting as a hydrophobic probe. Measurements by laser light scattering and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the glycopolymers were able to self-assemble into aggregates with varying particle sizes and morphologies in aqueous solutions.Graphical abstractHighlights► Novel thermoresponsive glucose-functionalised double hydrophilic copolymers were synthesised. ► The LCST of the copolymer solution could be controlled by varying the monomer ratios. ► The copolymers formed large and loose structures at low temperatures and compact spherical aggregates above the LCST.

Concerns about the use of chemical synthetic antioxidants that promote carcinogenesis has led to the development of natural antioxidants. Ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid, FA) is a monophenolic phenylpropanoid present in the plant kingdom. It has shown a high antioxidant capacity and biological activities, including antiviral, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial ones. However, due to poor solubility in hydrophobic media, FA can only be used in aqueous environments and this is a key factor that to a certain extent limits its application and bioavailability. In the present study, novel feruloylated lipids 1(3)-feruloyl-monobutyryl-glycerol (FMB) and 1(3)-feruloyl-dibutyryl-glycerol (FDB) were prepared by lipase-catalysed transesterification between FA and tributyrin. The structure of FMB and FDB was confirmed by NMR and ESI-MS, respectively. The radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of FA, FMB and FDB were evaluated using several different antioxidant assays, including hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) radical scavenging, inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic acid and reducing power. The antioxidant activities decreased in the following order: BHT ≥ FMB > FDB > FA. The results suggested that FMB and FDB exhibited a strong effect against oxidation in lipophilic systems making them promising antioxidants.