Amphiphilic PEO-b-PBLG diblock and PBLG-b-PEO-b-PBLG triblock copolymer based nanoparticles: doxorubicin loading and in vitro evaluation.

Huisgen's 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ("Click Chemestry") has been used to prepare amphiphilic PEO-b-PBLG diblock and PBLG-b-PEO-b-PBLG triblock copolymers as potential carriers of anticancer drugs. Spherical and flower shaped micelles (D ≈ 100 nm) were obtained from diblock and triblock copolymers respectively. DOX was effectively encapsulated up to 18 wt.% and 50-60% of it was steadily released from the micelles over a period of 7 d. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy confirmed the effective intracellular uptake as well as the sustained release of DOX from micelles. These results suggest that the diblock as well as triblock copolymers are promising carriers for intra-cellular drug delivery.