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The hydrogels based on cross-linked dextran-graft-polyacrylamide (D-g-PAA) and polyacrylamide (PAA) with different densities of chemical cross-links were synthesized by radical polymerization. They were used as nanoreactors for the photochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The polymer hydrogels and nanocomposites with loaded AgNPs were characterized by SEM, FTIR- and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Swelling studies demonstrated differences in the internal structure of the cross-linked D-g-PAA and PAA samples. The morphology of the hydrogels affects the properties of the obtained nanocomposites. The microbiological tests have shown that the D-g-PAA-based hydrogels loaded with AgNPs are more active against Staphylococcus aureus than their PAA-based counterparts and can be an efficient alternative to antibiotic-containing coverings and dressings.

The multi-component nanosystems based on the branched copolymer dextran-graft-polyacrylamide in an anionic form (D-g-PAAan) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), photosensitizer Chlorine e6 (Ce6), and chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin (Dox) were developed for use in complex breast cancer therapy. The synthesized nanosystems were characterized by Quasi Elastic Light Scattering and Transmission Electron Microscopy and tested against the malignant cells MCF-7/Dox resistant to Dox. It is found that the addition of Dox as the fourth component to the three-component nanosystem D-g-PAAan/AuNPs/Ce6 leads to aggregation and, as a result, to decrease in efficiency of tumor treatment. The way to reduce unwanted aggregation in the four-component nanosystem D-g-PAAan/AuNPs/Ce6/Dox is proposed. The new nanosystems are shown to be effective in overcoming Dox resistance and killing cancer cells.