Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets for Controlling the Release of Nimodipine as NIR-Drug Delivery System

Here, we present a photothermally triggered drug delivery nanosystem MoS₂-NIMO-CHIT-SH, using the thiolated chitosan (CHIT-SH)-modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets as near-infrared (NIR) photo-responsive carriers, loaded with the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist drug Nimodipine (NIMO). Although NIMO is used to treat stroke, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular spasms, and hypertension, this drug is poorly water-soluble, with low bioavailability and lack of selectivity. Thus, there is an urgent need for a novel approach to creating NIMO formulations that are safe, effective, and have better solubility and bioavailability. To overcome these problems, we develop a cationic biopolymer functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets as a photothermal drug carrier system to facilitate the NIR light-induced release of NIMO drugs. MoS₂ nanosheets (<150 nm) as NIMO drug carriers are prepared through simple exfoliation of their bulk phase and then functionalized with CHIT-SH biopolymer to increase their physiological stability and biocompatibility. According to the results, MoS₂-NIMO-CHIT-SH nanocomposites show strong NIR absorbance, which makes them a promising candidate for photothermal therapy.