Block ionomer complexes as prospective nanocontainers for drug delivery

J Control Release. 2006 Sep 28;115(1):9-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2006.06.030. Epub 2006 Jul 5.

Abstract

Nanosized environmentally responsive materials are of special interest for various applications, including drug delivery. Block ionomer complexes (BIC) composed of graft-comb copolymers of Pluronic and poly(acrylic acid) (Pluronic-PAA) and a model cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB), were synthesized by mixing the polymer and surfactant in aqueous media. According to TEM, the resulting BIC represented spherical particles of nanoscale size (50 to 100 nm). The stability of the BIC in the aqueous dispersion depended on the lengths of the hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) chains in Pluronic molecules as well as on the surface charge of the resulting complexes. The latter was controlled by changing the ratio of the Pluronic-PAA and HTAB in the BIC and by changing the pH due to reversible ionization of the PAA chains. The acidification of the media below pH 6.0 resulted in the appearance of a strong positive charge on the BIC, which in the intracellular environment can trigger interaction of such BIC with the cell membranes. An efficient solubilization of a model hydrophobic molecule, Sudan III, and a drug, Etoposide, in such BIC was demonstrated with the loading capacities of about 6 to 15% by weight of the dispersed complex. Overall, these BIC wield a promise as environmentally responsive nanocarriers for pharmaceuticals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Cetrimonium
  • Cetrimonium Compounds
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Excipients
  • Hydrogels
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Micelles
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nanostructures*
  • Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
  • Particle Size
  • Poloxamer
  • Solubility
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Azo Compounds
  • Cetrimonium Compounds
  • Coloring Agents
  • Excipients
  • Hydrogels
  • Micelles
  • Poloxamer
  • carbopol 940
  • sudan III
  • Cetrimonium