Intermolecular Interactions of Polymer/Surfactants Mixture in Aqueous Solution Investigated by Various Techniques

Multi-functional Chitosan Polymeric Micelles for improving the oral bioavailability of Paclitaxel based on synergistic effect

A novel multi-functional micelle delivery system was developed for enhancing the oral absorption of paclitaxel (PTX). The delivery carriers were constructed by modifying chitosan-stearic acid (CS-SA) micelles with L-carnitine (LC) and co-encapsulating quercetin (Que), and the PTX-loaded micelles were prepared by film-sonication dispersing technique. The as-prepared micelles showed homogeneous spherical shapes with a small particle size of 148.3 ± 1.7 nm, high drug loading of 7.05% and low critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 16.89 µg/ml. Compared to the in-house PTX formulation similar to the commercial injection Taxol™, the target PTX-loaded micelles had obvious sustained-release effects and exhibited an oral relative bioavailability of 168.08%. The cellular uptake studies of Caco-2 cells confirmed the micellar modification of LC and the co-loading of Que played important roles in promoting the absorption of drug loaded in micelles. The CYP3A4 enzyme test demonstrated the micelles had an inhibitory effect on the metabolic enzyme due to the presence of Que. These findings confirmed the potential of the multi-functional chitosan polymeric micelles based on synergistic effect as an effective oral delivery system.

Effect of polylactic acid on the micellization of SDS and CTAB: physicochemical studies on surfactants aggregation

This study reports the aggregation behavior of polylactic acid (PLA) with ionic surfactants e.g. sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at different temperatures. Surface tension and conductivity techniques were used to investigate these physicochemical properties. Surface tension measurements were carried out to find out critical micelle concentration (CMC), free energy change of micellization (ΔG m), free energy change of adsorption (ΔG ads) and surface excess concentration (Γ). Conductivity measurements were used to determine CMC, degree of ionization (α) and degree of counter ion binding (β). The values of α and β obtained for SDS were (0.389 and 0.611 respectively), while for CTAB the values of α and β were (0.239 and 0.761 respectively). This type of electrostatic interactions is very important which can be applied in various industrial applications (e.g. pharmaceutical, industrial foaming, oil recovery etc.).

Interaction of sulphone based reactive dyes with cationic surfactant: a spectroscopic and conductometric study

Interaction of sulphone based reactive dyes, designated as dye-1 and dye-2, with cationic micellar system of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), has been investigated by spectroscopic and conductometeric measurements. Efficiency of the selected micellar systems is assessed by the values of binding constant (K b ), partition coefficient (K x ) and respective Gibbs energies. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactant, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions as well as polarity of the medium plays significant role in this phenomenon. The negative values of Gibbs energies of binding (∆G b ) and partition (∆G p ) predicts the feasibility and spontaneity of respective processes. Similarly negative values of ∆G m and ∆H m and positive values of ∆S m , calculated from conductometeric data, further, revealed the exothermicity, spontaneity and, thus, stability of system. The results, herein, have disclosed the strong interaction between dye and surfactant molecules. The dye-2 has been observed to be solubilized to greater extent, as compared to dye 1, due to strong interaction ith hydrophiles of CTAB and accommodation of its molecules in palisade layer of micelle closer to the micelle/water interface.

How Detergents Dissolve Polymeric Micelles: Kinetic Pathways of Hybrid Micelle Formation in SDS and Block Copolymer Mixtures

Mixtures of amphiphilic polymers and surfactants are used in a wide range of applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, detergents, cosmetics, and drug delivery systems. Still, many questions remain on how the structure and, in particular, the kinetics of block copolymer micelles are affected in the presence of surfactants and what controls the solubilization kinetics. In this work, we have studied the stability and solubilization kinetics of block copolymer micelles upon the addition of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) using small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering. The ability of the surfactant to dissolve polymer micelles or form mixed micelles has been investigated using two types of amphiphilic polymers, poly(ethylene-alt-propylene)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEP1-PEO20) and n-alkyl-functionalized PEO (C28-PEO5). The exchange kinetics of C28-PEO5 micelles are in the order of hours, while PEP1-PEO20 micelles are known to be frozen on a practical timescale. In this work, we show that the addition of SDS to PEP1-PEO20 provides virtually no solubilization, even after an extended period of time. However, upon adding SDS to C28-PEO5 micelles, we observe micellar dissolution and formation of mixed micelles occurring on the timescale of hours. Using a coexistence model of mixed and neat micelles, the SAXS data were analyzed to provide detailed structural parameters over time. First, we observe a fast fragmentation/fission step followed by a slow reorganization process. The latter process is essentially independent of concentration at low volume fraction but is greatly accelerated at larger concentrations. This might indicate a crossover from a predominance of molecular exchange to fusion/fission processes.

Dependency of Anion and Chain Length of Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquid on Micellization of the Block Copolymer F127 in Aqueous Solution: An Experimental Deep Insight

The non-ionic triblock copolymer, Pluronic^® F127, has been selected to observe its interaction with ionic liquids (ILs) in aqueous solutions by using DLS, surface tension, and viscosity measurements. The Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) of F127 increased with the addition of ILs, which appeared logical since it increases the solubility of PPO (and PEO) moiety, making it behaves more like a hydrophilic block copolymer that is micellized at a higher copolymer concentration. The results from DLS data showed good agreement with those obtained from the surface tension measurements. Upon the addition of ILs, the tendency in micellar size reduction was demonstrated by viscosity results, and therefore, intrinsic viscosity decreased compared to pure F127 in aqueous solution. The results were discussed as a function of alkyl chain length and anions of imidazolium based ILs.

General considerations regarding the in vitro and in vivo properties of block copolymer micelle products and their evaluation

Block copolymer micelles are nanoparticles formed from block copolymers that comprise a hydrophilic polymer such as poly(ethylene glycol) and a poorly soluble polymer such as poly(amino acids). The design of block copolymer micelles is intended to regulate the in vivo pharmacokinetics, stability, and distribution profiles of an entrapped or block copolymer-linked active substance. Several block copolymer micelle products are currently undergoing clinical development; however, a major challenge in the development and evaluation of such products is identification of the physicochemical properties that affect the properties of the drug product in vivo. Here we review the overall in vitro and in vivo characteristics of block copolymer micelle products with a focus on the products currently under clinical investigation. We present examples of methods suitable for the evaluation of the physicochemical properties, non-clinical pharmacokinetics, and safety of block copolymer micelle products.