Micellization and drug solubilization in aqueous solutions of a diblock copolymer of ethylene oxide and phenyl glycidyl ether

Langmuir. 2006 Aug 29;22(18):7465-70. doi: 10.1021/la060684+.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to define a block copolymer micellar system with a high solubilization capacity for poorly soluble aromatic drugs. Ethylene oxide and phenyl glycidyl ether were sequentially polymerized to form the diblock copolymer G5E67 (G = phenyl glycidyl ether, OCH2CH(CH2OC6H5); E = oxyethylene, OCH2CH2; subscripts denote number-average block lengths in repeat units). The association properties in aqueous solution over the range 20-50 degrees C were investigated by surface tensiometry and light scattering, yielding values of the cmc, hydrodynamic radius, and association number; gel boundaries in concentrated micellar solution were investigated by tube inversion. The solubilization capacity of G5E67 for the poorly water-soluble drug griseofulvin was higher than that of a triblock EGE copolymer of longer G block length and considerably higher than that achieved with poloxamers (EmPnEm, P = oxypropylene).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ethylene Oxide / chemistry*
  • Gels / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Micelles*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry*
  • Phenyl Ethers / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Solutions
  • Viscosity
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Gels
  • Micelles
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Phenyl Ethers
  • Polymers
  • Solutions
  • Water
  • phenylglycidyl ether
  • Ethylene Oxide