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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
Published on: August 28, 2015
Curcumin-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymeric micelles: Preparation, pharmacokinetics and distribution in vivo
Zhimei Song1, Runliang Feng, Min Sun
1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xilu, Jinan 250012, China.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess the potential of new copolymeric micelles to modify the pharmacokenetics and tissue distribution of Curcumin (CUR), a hydrophobic drug. In the present study, a poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) copolymer was synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, gel permeation chromatography and FTIR analysis. The CUR-loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA micelles were prepared by dialysis method and the physicochemical parameters of the micelles such as zeta potential, size distribution and drug encapsulation were characterized. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of CUR-loaded micelles in vivo were evaluated. The results showed that the zeta potential of CUR-loaded micelles was about -0.71mV and the average size was 26.29nm. CUR was encapsulated into PLGA-PEG-PLGA micelles with loading capacity of 6.4±0.02% and entrapment efficiency of 70±0.34%. The plasma AUC((0-)(∞)), t(1/2α), t(1/2β) and MRT of CUR micelles were increased by 1.31, 2.48, 4.54 and 2.67 fold compared to the CUR solution, respectively. The biodistribution study in mice showed that the micelles decreased drug uptake by liver and spleen and enhanced drug distribution in lung and brain. These results suggested that PLGA-PEG-PLGA micelles would be a potential carrier for CUR.
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