Fusiform micelles from nonlinear poly(ethylene glycol)/polylactide copolymers as biodegradable drug carriers

Abstract

PEG-PLA copolymers with dumbbell- and Y-shaped structures are prepared. They can self-assemble from nanoparticles to micro-sized fusiform micellar particles in aqueous solution. In particular the micelles formed by the (PLA)2-PEG-(PLA)2 particles show a better drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency than those formed by linear MPEG-PLA. In vitro studies show that the particles formed by Y-shaped copolymers show a particularly quick drug release. The copolymers have good biocompatibility with low cytotoxicity. These unique self-assembled systems thus have many possible biomedical applications, such as a sustained delivery of high-dosed water insoluble drugs, quick effective drugs for trauma, controlled delivery of the oral-administration drugs, and so forth.