Constructing of pH and reduction dual-responsive folic acid-modified hyaluronic acid-based microcapsules for dual-targeted drug delivery via sonochemical method

In this study, an eco-friendly, biodegradable, biocompatible, non-immunogenic, non-toxic polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) was used to design and fabrication folic acid (FA)-modified pH and reduction-responsive HA-base microcapsules (FA-PRMCs). The microcapsules loaded with curcumin (CUR) are fabricated by a fast, economical and environmentally friendly sonochemical method. Ethyl acetate as the core solvent phase loaded with curcumin can be recycled and reused repeatedly. The obtained microcapsules showed good biocompatibility and targeting in anti-tumor evaluation and endocytosis evaluation in vitro . The responsive release characteristics of microcapsules could avoid side effects on normal tissues. As a low-cost intelligent targeted delivery vector, FA-PRMCs have great clinical application potential in the future. The recyclable strategy of preparing dual-targeted microcapsules loaded with curcumin can increase the drug loading rate and reduce costs. • Economical and efficient preparation of hyaluronic acid-based microcapsules by sonochemical method. • The prepared microcapsules have high encapsulation rate, good stability and biocompatibility. • The excess curcumin and ethyl acetate produced during the preparation of microcapsules can be recycled and reused. • The microcapsules loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs can effectively reduce the damage of drugs to normal tissues.