title: Micelles based on amphiphilic PCL-PEO triblock and star-shaped diblock copolymers: Potential in drug delivery applications.
abstract: In this work, the potential in drug nanodelivery of micelles made from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (ethyleneoxide) (PEO) copolymers with triblock and star-diblock architectures was explored. Linear and 4-arm star-shaped PCL macromers with two or four --OH end groups were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of CL and condensed with alpha-methoxy-omega-carboxy-PEO. The resulting amphiphilic copolymers were characterized by (1)H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. Separate PCL and PEO crystalline phases were observed for both copolymers. Copolymers self-assembled in water giving critical association concentrations in the range 0.010-0.023 mg/mL. Micelles with a size of 32-45 nm were prepared by dialysis and characterized for hydrodynamic diameter and surface charge. Their potential as nanocarriers in drug delivery applications was evaluated too. Micelles were nontoxic to both Red blood cells and HeLa cells. Complement activation experiments indicated that micelles can escape the reticuloendothelial system once intravenously injected. Finally, a different uptake on HeLa cells was found for micelles obtained from triblock and star-shaped copolymers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quaglia
authors.forename: Luisanna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ostacolo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nese
authors.forename: Mariarosaria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canciello
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ungaro
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Maria Immacolata
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: La Rotonda
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maglio
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D011091:Polyesters; C458722:polyethylene oxide-polycaprolactone copolymer