ABSTRACT
An amphipathic copolymer of poly(polyethylene glycol-b-polycaprolactone-co-hydroxypropyl methyl cyclodextrin) [poly(mPEG-b-PCL-co-HPCD)] was synthesized via the free radical polymerization. The copolymer was used to prepare novel nanoparticles (NPs) by a solvent evaporation method. Curcumin (CUR) was selected as a model drug and loaded in the both sites of inner NPs and the cavities of HPCD. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) study was carried out to confirm the synthesis of poly(mPEG-b-PCL-co-HPCD). The morphology and particle size distribution of the cargo-free NPs were monitored with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Malvern particle sizer. The distribution state of CUR in the CUR-loaded NPs was studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The 1H NMR spectrum demonstrated the successful preparation of poly(mPEG-b-PCL-co-HPCD) copolymer. TEM photograph illustrated that the cargo-free NPs had a spherical morphology with an average diameter of 229±32.8nm. The cargo-free NPs had a low critical micelle concentration of 2.9×10-2mg/mL. The HepG2 cells incubated with 1.0mg/mL NPs suspension showed high cell viability. The drug release profile showed that the medicated NPs could continuously release CUR for 24h. Therefore, the poly(mPEG-b-PCL-co-HPCD) NPs had a potential application on the drug delivery.
