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Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
Published on: August 28, 2015
Development of polyion complex micelles for encapsulating and delivering amphotericin B
Chau-Hui Wang1, Wei-Ting Wang, Ging-Ho Hsiue
1Polymer Technology Division, Material and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
Biomaterials
|March 21, 2009
Summary
This study developed poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-block-poly(aspartic acid) micelles for the antifungal drug amphotericin B. These micelles enhance drug solubility, potency, and reduce cytotoxicity compared to existing treatments.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Mycology
Background:
- Antifungal drug amphotericin B (AmB) has limited solubility and significant toxicity.
- Developing effective and safer drug delivery systems for antifungals is crucial for treating infections like Candida albicans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-block-poly(aspartic acid) (PEOz-b-PAsp) block copolymers.
- To investigate PEOz-b-PAsp as a carrier for amphotericin B (AmB) via polyion complex (PIC) micelles.
- To evaluate the efficacy, release kinetics, and cytotoxicity of AmB-loaded PEOz-b-PAsp PIC micelles.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PEOz-b-PAsp block copolymer.
- Formation and characterization of Polyion Complex (PIC) micelles using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
- In vitro drug release studies and antifungal activity assays against Candida albicans.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assessments compared to Fungizone.
Main Results:
- PEOz-b-PAsp successfully formed PIC micelles with a core-shell structure, where the PAsp segment became hydrophobic upon AmB interaction.
- AmB-loaded micelles demonstrated enhanced solubility and increased drug potency.
- Prolonged AmB release from the micelles inhibited Candida albicans growth for over three days.
- AmB-loaded micelles exhibited lower in vitro cytotoxicity than the standard antifungal drug Fungizone.
Conclusions:
- PEOz-b-PAsp PIC micelles are effective carriers for amphotericin B, improving its therapeutic profile.
- These micelles offer a promising alternative to conventional antifungal treatments due to enhanced potency and reduced toxicity.
- The PEOz-b-PAsp system shows potential for encapsulating other basic or amphoteric drugs.
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