Spectroscopic investigation of the aggregation state of amphotericin B during loading, freeze-drying, and reconstitution of polymeric micelles.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relative aggregation state of amphotericin B (AmB) during loading and reconstitution of polymeric micelles.


METHODS
Hexanoate and stearate derivatives of PEO-b-p (L-Asp) were prepared. The polymers and AmB were dissolved in methanol (MeOH). Milli-Q water was then added slowly, and the MeOH was removed via rotary evaporation. The solutions were freeze-dried in the presence of trehalose. During micelle preparation, the aggregation state of AmB was assessed using absorption spectroscopy. Upon reconstitution, the samples were analyzed using vapor-pressure osmometry, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and absorption spectroscopy. The absorption spectrum of AmB in the presence of the block copolymers was compared to that of AmB alone under the same conditions.


RESULTS
AmB was loaded into micelles prepared from acyl derivatives of PEO-b-p (L-Asp). Absorption spectroscopy indicated that the aggregation state was preserved during the loading process. AmB exists in a self-aggregated state in polymeric micelles containing hexanoate ester cores and in a relatively monomeric state in polymeric micelles containing stearate ester cores. Vapor-pressure osmometry confirmed the isotonicity of the formulations, while SEC indicated that the micelles were approximately 10(6) g/mol.


CONCLUSIONS
Depending on the polymer structure and assembly conditions, it is possible to encapsulate AmB in a relatively nonaggregated or aggregated state in micelles prepared from acyl derivatives of PEO-b-p (L-Asp). In polymeric micelles containing stearate side chains, AmB was loaded in a nearly monomeric state, possibly due to interaction with the stearate side chains. The final aggregation state of the drug is preserved during lyophilization and reconstitution of polymeric micelles prepared by a novel solvent evaporation procedure.
Adams
Monica
M
Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy, Madison, WI 53705-2222, USA.
Kwon
Glen S
GS
D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D005612:Freeze Drying / Q000379:methods; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods
D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D000666:Amphotericin B