We reported recently on a new class of polymers, amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs), that form micelles and self-assemble into micellar assemblies in response to polymer structure and concentration. The unique feature of AIP macromolecules is their ability for inverse conformational changes in response to changing solvent polarity. The AIP micellar assemblies behave like a host for otherwise insoluble molecules in polar (including aqueous) and non-polar solutions, and bind lipophilic and hydrophilic guest molecules, in water and toluene, respectively.To probe the AIP-promoted drug transfer from water to 1-octanol, we choose curcumin, a therapeutic compound with a wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound healing, and anticancer activities. However, clinical development of curcumin is hindered by its low solubility and poor bioavailability. A possible way to improve its solubility and stability is to encapsulate the curcumin in polymeric micelles.

Invertible polymeric micelles as drug delivery carriers of hydrophobic cargos

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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