Asymmetric Poly(ethylene glycol) Star Polymers with a Cholic Acid Core and Their Aggregation Properties

The Increased Dissolution and Oral Absorption of Itraconazole by Nanocrystals with an Endogenous Small-Molecule Surfactant as a Stabilizer

The aim of this study was to develop cholic-acid-stabilized itraconazole nanosuspensions (ITZ-Nanos) with the objective of enhancing drug dissolution and oral absorption. A laboratory-scale microprecipitation-high-pressure homogenization method was employed for the preparation of the ITZ-Nanos, while dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscope analysis, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis were utilized to evaluate their physicochemical properties. The absorption and bioavailability of the ITZ-Nanos were assessed using Caco-2 cells and rats, with Sporanox® pellets as a comparison. Prior to lyophilization, the particle size of the ITZ-Nanos measured approximately 225.7 nm. Both X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that the ITZ remained crystalline within the nanocrystals. Compared to the pellets, the ITZ-Nanos exhibited significantly higher levels of supersaturation dissolution and demonstrated enhanced drug uptake by the Caco-2 cells. The AUC(0-t) value for the ITZ-Nanos in rats was 1.33-fold higher than that observed for the pellets. These findings suggest that cholic acid holds promise as a stabilizer for ITZ nanocrystals, as well as potentially other nanocrystals.

Multifunctional nanoplatform based on star-shaped copolymer for liver cancer targeting therapy

With high morbidity and death rates, liver cancer has become one of the most common cancers in the world. But, most chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs have high toxicity as well as low specificity. To improve the treatment modalities and enhance the therapeutic effect of liver cancer, a brand new liver-targeting nanoparticle (NP), Ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (5 F)-loaded cholic acid (CA)-functionalized star-shaped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-lactobionic acid (LA) (5 F-loaded CA-PLGA-PEG-LA), was developed. The particle size, zeta potential, size distribution, surface morphology, drug loading content, drug encapsulation efficiency and drug release of 5 F-loaded NPs were characterized. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry showed that the prepared NPs could be internalized by HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the cellular uptake efficiency of coumarin 6-loaded CA-PLGA-PEG-LA NPs was much better in compare with that of CA-PLGA-PEG and CA-PLGA NPs. Moreover, LA-conjugated NPs (CA-PLGA-PEG-LA NPs) enhanced fluorescence of HepG2 cells via ligand-mediated endocytosis. The antitumor effects of 5 F-loaded NPs were evaluated by the MTT assay in vitro and by a xenograft tumor model in vivo, demonstrating that targeted 5 F-loaded CA-PLGA-PEG-LA NPs were significantly superior to free 5 F and 5 F-loaded CA-PLGA-PEG NPs. All the results indicated the 5 F-loaded CA-PLGA-PEG-LA NPs can be employed as a novel potentially targeting drug delivery system for liver cancer therapy.

Bile Acid-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Enhanced Doxorubicin Encapsulation: Comparing Hydrophobic and Ionic Interactions in Drug Loading and Release

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a drug of choice in the design of drug delivery systems directed toward breast cancers, but is often limited by loading and control over its release from polymer micelles. Bile acid-based block copolymers present certain advantages over traditional polymer-based systems for drug delivery purposes, since they can enable a higher drug loading via the formation of a reservoir through their aggregation process. In this study, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are compared for their influence on Dox loading inside cholic acid based block copolymers. Poly(allyl glycidyl ether) (PAGE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were grafted from the cholic acid (CA) core yielding a star-shaped block copolymer with 4 arms (CA-(PAGE- b-PEG)₄) and then loaded with Dox via a nanoprecipitation technique. A high Dox loading of 14 wt % was achieved via electrostatic as opposed to hydrophobic interactions with or without oleic acid as a cosurfactant. The electrostatic interactions confer a pH responsiveness to the system. 50% of the loaded Dox was released at pH 5 in comparison to 12% at pH 7.4. The nanoparticles with Dox loaded via hydrophobic interactions did not show such a pH responsiveness. The systems with Dox loaded via electrostatic interactions showed the lowest IC₅₀ and highest cellular internalization, indicating the pre-eminence of this interaction in Dox loading. The blank formulations are biocompatible and did not show cytotoxicity up to 0.17 mg/mL. The new functionalized star block copolymers based on cholic acid show great potential as drug delivery carriers.

Polymers made of bile acids: from soft to hard biomaterials

Bile acids are gaining increasing importance as building blocks in the development of novel polymeric materials. This is evidenced by the growing number of publications advocating the advantages of their incorporation in the design and construction of materials. Composed of a rigid steroid backbone, functional groups with potential towards diverse reactions, and a biocompatible framework, there are various ways in which these molecules can be utilized to afford biomaterials via distinct architectures. Soft materials utilize the intrinsic capacity of bile acids to self-assemble and have seen a range of applications, most notably in the field of drug delivery. On the other hand, there is also the possibility of including bile acids in the polymer backbone, which has been used in the preparation of elastomers. This review discusses a selection of materials that can be prepared using bile acids and the advantages afforded by these molecules. Focus will be on the development of soft and hard materials, where soft materials are described as being held by weak intermolecular interactions, whereas hard materials are mechanically stronger with bile acids covalently incorporated in the polymer network.

Temperature-driven self-assembly of self-limiting uniform supraparticles from non-uniform unimolecular micelles

In this work, the self-assembly of non-uniform unimolecular micelles constituted of a hyperbranched polyester core decorated with a corona of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) chains has been studied. As revealed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), these unimicelles form uniform supraparticles through a thermally-induced self-limited process, as well as exhibit molecular features commonly observed in PNIPAm-based gels. We believe that these results provide new insights into the application of stimuli-responsive polymeric materials as versatile building blocks to build up soft supraparticles displaying well-defined dimensional characteristics.

pH-sensitive nanomicelles for controlled and efficient drug delivery to human colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells

BACKGROUND

The triblock copolymers PEG-P(Asp-DIP)-P(Lys-Ca) (PEALCa) of polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(N-(N',N'-diisopropylaminoethyl) aspartamide) (P(Asp-DIP)), and poly (lysine-cholic acid) (P(Lys-Ca)) were synthesized as a pH-sensitive drug delivery system. In neutral aqueous environment such as physiological environment, PEALCa can self-assemble into stable vesicles with a size around 50-60 nm, avoid uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), and encase the drug in the core. However, the PEALCa micelles disassemble and release drug rapidly in acidic environment that resembles lysosomal compartments.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The anticancer drug Paclitaxel (PTX) and hydrophilic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) were encapsulated inside the core of the PEALCa micelles and used for potential cancer therapy. Drug release study revealed that PTX in the micelles was released faster at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.4. Cell culture studies showed that the PTX-SPIO-PEALCa micelle was effectively internalized by human colon carcinoma cell line (LoVo cells), and PTX could be embedded inside lysosomal compartments. Moreover, the human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) LoVo cells delivery effect was verified in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology analysis. Consequently effective suppression of CRC LoVo cell growth was evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

These results indicated that the PTX-SPION-loaded pH-sensitive micelles were a promising MRI-visible drug release system for colorectal cancer therapy.

Effects of amphiphilic star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) polymers with a cholic acid core on human red blood cell aggregation

Elevated red blood cell (RBC) aggregation increases low-shear blood viscosity and is closely related to several pathophysiological diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and hereditary chronic hemolytic conditions. Non-ionic linear polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and Pluronic F68 have shown inhibitory effects against RBC aggregation. However, hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals, attributed to a diblock component of Pluronic F68, have been reported. Therefore, we investigated the use of an amphiphilic star-shaped PEG polymer based on a cholic acid core as a substitute for Pluronics to reduce RBC aggregation. Cholic acid is a natural bile acid produced in the human liver and therefore should assure biocompatibility. Cholic acid based PEG polymers, termed CA(PEG)(4), were synthesized by anionic polymerization. Size exclusion chromatography indicated narrow mass distributions and hydrodynamic radii less than 2 nm were calculated. The effects of CA(PEG)(4) on human RBC aggregation and blood viscosity were investigated and compared to linear PEGs by light transmission aggregometry. Results showed optimal reduction of RBC aggregation for molar masses between 10 and 16 kDa of star-shaped CA(PEG)(4) polymers. Cholic acid based PEG polymers affect the rheology of erythrocytes and may find applications as alternatives to linear PEG or Pluronics to improve blood fluidity.

Aggregation behavior of pegylated bile acid derivatives

Bile acids are amphiphilic endogenous steroids that act as anionic surfactants in the digestive tract and aggregate in aqueous solutions. Nonionic surfactants were synthesized by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) chains of various lengths (pegylation) to three bile acids (lithocholic, deoxycholic, and cholic acid) using anionic polymerization. The aggregation properties of the derivatives were studied with viscosity measurements and light scattering as well as with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques, and the aggregates were visualized by transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the effect of pegylation on the aggregation process. The fluorescence results showed a good correlation with the capacity of the bile acid derivatives to solubilize a hydrophobic drug molecule. The solubilization of ibuprofen depends on the length and the number of grafted PEG chains, and the solubilization efficiency increases with fewer PEG chains on the bile acid. The results indicate their potential for use in the design of new bile acid-based drug-delivery systems.

Thermoresponsive aggregation behavior of triterpene-poly(ethylene oxide) conjugates in water

Bioconjugate amphiphiles comprising triterpene and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were studied according to their thermoresponsive aggregation behavior (LCST) in water. Cholesteryl-PEO (CE) and betulinyl-PEO (BE) comprising <70 wt% PEO precipitated from water upon heating. CE, but not BE, solutions contained nanoscopic aggregates at room temperature causing different thermoprecipitation behaviors. Solutions containing 5 wt% solutions of BE with short PEO chains demonstrated dual thermoresponsive behavior, precipitating at high temperature and forming hydrogel at low temperature. A BE multiblock copolymer was found to form large aggregates, presumably vesicles, in water. Results suggest that the solution properties of triterpene-PEO amphiphiles can be controlled by the chemical composition and structure.

Aggregation and thermoresponsive properties of new star block copolymers with a cholic acid core

Poly(allyl glycidyl ether) (PAGE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blocks were sequentially grown via anionic polymerization to form four block copolymer arms on a cholic acid (CA) core, yielding star block copolymers (CA(AGE(8)-b-EG(n))(4)) with low polydispersities (ca. 1.05). The introduction of PAGE segments into CA(PEG)(4) significantly reduced their crystallinity. The polymers can aggregate in water at room temperature above their critical aggregation concentration. The copolymers are thermoresponsive; their behavior in aqueous solutions was studied by the use of UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Their cloud points vary from 13 to 55 °C with increasing length of the PEG segments. Double thermoresponsive behavior was observed with short PEG segments because of a two-step transition process: small micelles are formed upon heating and then further aggregate into micellar clusters through the association of PEG chains.

Thermosensitivity of bile acid-based oligo(ethylene glycol) stars in aqueous solutions

Amphiphilic star-shaped oligo(ethylene glycol)s with a hydrophobic bile acid core and varying number of hydrophilic arms have been made. Their thermal behavior in aqueous solutions depends on the number rather than the length of the arms. The two-armed lithocholate derivative showed the strongest tendency for association and exhibited the lowest cloud point (79 °C) of the oligomers made, as well as another phase separation at a lower temperature (31 °C). The "double thermosensitivity" arising both from the salt-dependent LCST of the oligo(ethylene glycol) segments and the temperature-responsive self-assembly of amphiphilic bile acid derivative provides an interesting path in the design of bile acid-based smart materials.

Well-defined, size-tunable, multifunctional micelles for efficient paclitaxel delivery for cancer treatment

We have developed a well-defined and biocompatible amphiphilic telodendrimer system (PEG-b-dendritic oligo-cholic acid) which can self-assemble into multifunctional micelles in aqueous solution for efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel. In this telodendrimer system, cholic acid is essential for the formation of stable micelles with high drug loading capacity, owing to its facial amphiphilicity. A series of telodendrimers with variable length of PEG chain and number of cholic acid in the dendritic blocks were synthesized. The structure and molecular weight of each of these telodendrimers were characterized, and their critical micellization concentration (CMC), drug-loading properties, particle sizes, and cytotoxicity were examined and evaluated for further optimization for anticancer drug delivery. The sizes of the micelles, with and without paclitaxel loading, could be tuned from 11.5 to 21 nm and from 15 to 141 nm, respectively. Optical imaging studies in xenograft models demonstrated preferential uptake of the smaller paclitaxel-loaded micelles (17-60 nm) by the tumor and the larger micelles (150 nm) by the liver and lung. The toxicity and antitumor efficacy profiles of these paclitaxel-loaded micelles in xenograft models were found to be superior to those of Taxol and Abraxane.

Functional star polymers with a cholic acid core and their thermosensitive properties

Star polymers derived from cholic acid with poly(allyl glycidyl ether) arms have been prepared via anionic polymerization, yielding polymers with well-defined molecular weight and low polydispersity. The double bonds of the allyl groups on the polymer are used to introduce either amine or carboxylic acid groups to obtain amphiphilic polymers with cationic and anionic groups, respectively. The polymers can aggregate in water above a certain critical concentration, which was found to vary with the arm length of the star polymers. The star polymers bearing amino groups showed interesting thermosensitivity, which also depends on the pH of the media. A simple acetylation of the amine groups can sharpen the transition and vary the cloud point from 15 to 48 degrees C, depending on the degree of acetylation. Such polymers offer useful alternatives to the existing thermosensitive polymers.

Cholic acid micelles--controlling the size of the aqueous cavity by PEGylation

Data show that cholic acid (CA) micelles are less densely packed and much smaller than micelles formed by typical surfactants, suggesting that CA derivatives can be used to synthesize drug nanocarriers. Presumably, the formation of internal cavities is favored by the facial characteristics of the CA molecule, i.e. the convex molecular structure that is hydrophobic on one side and hydrophilic on the other. Here, we present a thermodynamical approach to quantify the effect of facial characteristics on forces governing the self-assembling process of CA molecules. We show that facial characteristics favor the entrapment of water molecules at interfaces upon CA aggregation, which weakens the attraction between CA hydrophobic moieties. Our computer simulations suggest that these effects contribute significantly to the tendency of CA molecules to form small "hollow-core" micelles. The attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecular chains to CA increases the repulsive forces in the system, reducing even further the micelle size. We use the present molecular model and experimental critical micelle concentration (cmc) data for CA-PEG systems to predict the change of the micelle size and cavity volume with the increase of the PEG chain length (x). Our computations indicate that the CA-PEG micelles are good candidates for drug delivery. The structural stability of CA-PEG micelles was further assessed by molecular dynamics simulations. We also tested the drug loading efficiency of this system and found an average of 0.5 mg paclitaxel load per 20 mg of CA-PEG polymer. The present study helps to identify critical parameters that control structural properties of the CA based nanocarriers and suggests practical means to optimize the ratio between micelle size and volume of the internal cavity.