Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers

Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed II

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed II

Rate-programmed drug delivery systems release drugs in a controlled manner to maintain therapeutic levels. Three main designs include reservoir, matrix, and hybrid systems.Reservoir systems consist of a drug core enclosed within a membrane that controls drug release. In non-swelling reservoir systems, polymers like ethyl cellulose or polymethacrylates are used. These do not hydrate in aqueous media and control release through membrane thickness, porosity, or insolubility. This type includes...

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.

Micelles

Micelles

Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Classification

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Classification

Modified-release drug delivery systems improve drug efficacy and minimize side effects by controlling the rate and location of drug release. These systems fall into three categories: rate-programmed, stimuli-activated, and site-targeted.Rate-programmed systems release drugs at a predetermined rate, maintaining consistent therapeutic levels and reducing fluctuations that could lead to toxicity or subtherapeutic effects. These systems use polymeric matrices, reservoir-based designs, or osmotic...

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated

Stimuli-activated drug delivery systems are designed to release drugs in response to specific physical, chemical, or biological stimuli. These systems often utilize hydrogels—three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks capable of swelling in aqueous environments and retaining significant fluid volumes. Upon exposure to particular stimuli, these hydrogels undergo structural transitions that allow the embedded drug to be released. Due to this adaptive behavior, such systems are also called...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Inhibition of DNA Topoisomerase I by Dihydrotanshinone I, Components of a Medicinal Herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.

Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry·2016

Same author

Thiocoraline activates the Notch pathway in carcinoids and reduces tumor progression in vivo.

Cancer gene therapy·2014

Same author

PEG-phospholipid micelles for the delivery of amphotericin B.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society·2005

Same author

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of 18 prenylated flavonoids isolated from medicinal plants: Morus alba L., Morus mongolica Schneider, Broussnetia papyrifera (L.) Vent, Sophora flavescens Ait and Echinosophora koreensis Nakai.

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·2005

Same author

Micelles self-assembled from poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N-hexyl stearate L-aspartamide) by a solvent evaporation method: effect on the solubilization and haemolytic activity of amphotericin B.

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society·2001

Same author

The effect of serum albumin on the aggregation state and toxicity of amphotericin B.

Journal of pharmaceutical sciences·2000

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Published on: August 28, 2015

Polymeric micelles for drug delivery.

S R Croy¹, G S Kwon

¹School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Current Pharmaceutical Design

|December 16, 2006

Summary

Polymeric micelles, nanostructures from block copolymers, offer advanced drug delivery by improving solubility, stability, and targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals. These versatile micelles enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicity for challenging drug molecules.

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

Polymeric micelles are core/shell nanostructures formed by amphiphilic block copolymers.
Their inherent and modifiable properties make them ideal for drug delivery applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the physical properties and characterization techniques of polymeric micelles.
To highlight the advantages and applications of polymeric micelles in drug delivery.
To discuss current research utilizing polymeric micelles for challenging pharmaceutical molecules.

Main Methods:

Review of literature on polymeric micelle properties and characterization.
Analysis of advantages including solubilization, sustained release, and protection of drugs.

More Related Videos

A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles

A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles

Published on: December 23, 2016

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles

Published on: August 28, 2015

A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles

A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles

Published on: December 23, 2016

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions

Published on: October 10, 2016

Examination of three main block copolymer classes: poly(propylene oxide), poly(L-amino acid)s, and poly(ester)s.

Main Results:

Polymeric micelles exhibit controllable association, morphology, size, and stability.
They effectively solubilize poorly soluble drugs, provide sustained release, and protect encapsulated substances.
Block copolymer classes like poly(propylene oxide), poly(L-amino acid)s, and poly(ester)s are widely studied for drug delivery.

Conclusions:

Polymeric micelles demonstrate significant potential in drug delivery by enhancing solubility, stability, and targeted delivery.
Formulation with polymeric micelles can attenuate drug toxicities and improve therapeutic efficacy.
Research highlights their application in delivering challenging pharmaceutical ingredients.