Assymetric block copolymers comprising interacting blocks for drug delivery

Abstract

The self-assembly of asymmetric di- and triblock block copolymers based on chemically complementary poly(acrylic acid) and (methoxy)poly(ethylene oxide) or polyacrilamide blocks into micelle structures are developed in acidic aqueous solutions by hydrophobic interactions between non-polar bound segments of the copolymer blocks. Peculiarities of the micellization processes, morphology, size and stability of the developed micellar nanocarries were highlighted. It was revealed that the wide spectrum of morphological forms of such micellar carriers, such as “crew-cut” micelles, “hairy-type” micelles, “flower-like” and needle-like micelles, could be produced by variation of the absolute and relative length of both the blocks. The presence of complex “core”, which stabilized through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, give an opportunity of such micelles to show a high binding capability with respect to toxic and hydrophobic drugs. The application of represented micelle-type polymeric nanocontainers for encapsulation and delivery in living organisms of anticancer drugs eumelanin and doxorubicin was shown. The essential influence of a state of micellar systems, parameters of micellization process, sizes and morphology of micelles, nature and length of micellar “coronas” on drug connection was considered and disscused.