Mixed Hyperbranched/Triblock Copolymer Micelle Assemblies: Physicochemical Properties and Potential for Drug Encapsulation

Abstract

Mixed micelles have numerous advantages while requiring little to no effort in preparation. This study aims to produce mixed micelle nanostructures from a linear triblock copolymer and a hyperbranched random copolymer, and is able to be loaded with the weakly water‐soluble drugs curcumin and indomethacin. Different preparation techniques are employed to produce mixed micelles comprised of Pluronic F127 block copolymer, and hyperbranched poly[(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate‐co‐lauryl methacrylate], H‐[P(OEGMA‐co‐LMA)], copolymer. Few studies have dabbled in these types of coassemblies, which provides insight into how structural differences of each copolymer can affect the formation of micelles. To determine the properties of the emerging nanostructures in aqueous environments, including their size, homogeneity, and surface charge, different physicochemical techniques are used, such as light scattering and spectroscopic methods. The results reveal that the copolymers combine, and spontaneously self‐assemble into mixed micelle‐like nanostructures in aqueous environments, whereas both systems of neat and drug‐loaded nanostructures exhibit desirable properties such as small average micelle hydrodynamic radii and low size polydispersity indices. The nanostructures that result from the effective encapsulation of curcumin exhibit outstanding stability over 169 days. The fluorescent qualities of curcumin persist after encapsulation, making the novel nanostructures excellent candidates for bioimaging applications.

Fabrication of GSH‐Responsive Poly(Tertiary Amine‐Oxide)‐Based Nanomedicines for Enhanced Anticancer Drug Release

“…[ 1,2 ] Micelle nanomedicines can increase the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, achieve prolonged blood circulation as well as enhance the tumor accumulation and cellular internalization via passive or/and active targeting mechanisms. [ 3–8 ] The stealthy poly(ethylene glycol) and its derivatives oligo(ethylene glycol) have been frequently used as a hydrophilic corona to stabilize the micelle nanomedicines. [ 9–12 ] However, these hydrophilic polymers are generally inert in function and bulky in size, leading to compromised tissue penetration and insufficient intracellular destabilization of micelles.…”

Poly(ethylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylate-Based Injectable Hydrogels: Swelling, Rheological, and In Vitro Biocompatibility Properties with ATDC5 Chondrogenic Lineage

“…The current study investigates the synthesis of a series of homopolymeric and copolymeric injectable hydrogels based on PEGMEM and DMAEM for their use in cartilage regeneration. Both monomers have been reported to be used for several biomedical applications [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]; however, the safety of polymers based on DMAEM is still controversial [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The previously described synthesis procedure [ 26 ] was modified to obtain more flowable hydrogel to fulfill the injectability requirement.…”