Gold Nanoparticle Coated Hybrid Mixed Micelles for pH Sensitive In Vitro Drug Release

Micelle has been considered as a promising candidate for stimuli responsive drug delivery for target specific and sustain release. Especially, pH sensitive micelles composed of polymers, surfactant, and fatty acids are emerging as chemotherapeutic platform, providing a tool for accumulation in cancer cells. Here, we present low pH sensitive hybrid mixed micelles with enhanced stability and efficiency. It is noted that sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) improves the stability of Tween 20 micelles which in turn develops nonionic-anionic mixed micelles. Further, gold nanoparticles have been attached with micelles to increase their capacity to load drug or other molecules. The proposed hybrid nano-composite has been loaded with doxorubicin for the application of pH sensitive drug release. Drug loading and release were evaluated based on UV–vis spectrum analysis. The result shows that the developed nanocomposite loads less drug than pure mixed micelle but releases more drug at pH 4. Three different pH (4, 7.4, 10) were considered for drug release study and the nanocomposite was successful in delivering the loaded drug at pH 4 (79%) and 7.4 (70%). The improved delivery at specific pH with stability demonstrates that the hybrid mixed micelle can be a potential nano-carrier for target specific drug delivery.