Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (12): 2149-2152.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.12.015

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Preparation and characterization of folate receptor-mediated targeting star-shaped poly (epsilon-caprolactone)

Tu Song1, Li Wen-long2, Chen Yuan-wei1 , Luo Xiang-lin 1,2   

  1. 1 College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu   610065, Sichuan Province, China; 2 State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu   610065, Sichuan Province, China　
  • Online:2010-03-19 Published:2010-03-19
  • Contact: Luo Xiang-lin, Doctor, Doctoral supervisor, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan Province, China; State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan Province, China luoxl_scu@126.com
  • About author:Tu Song★, Studying for master’s degree, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan Province, China toosong@126.com
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.50873065*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Recently, the interest in micellization of amphiphilic star-shaped polymer has exponentially increased in the field of drug delivery. Folic acid (FA) has been introduced into drug delivery system as tumor targeting group and shows excellent targeting effect.         
OBJECTIVE: To prepare a new class of folic acid end functionalized star-shaped poly (ε-caprolactone) (StarPCL-FA) micelle, and investigate its property in order to draw a basic line for its application in drug delivery system.
METHODS: Micelles were prepared by means of solvent evaporation, using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as organic phase. Size and morphology of micelle were detected using dynamic light scattering device and transmission electron microscope; the effect of dilution on the micelle size with time prolonging was measured; critical micellization concentration (CMC) was detected using pyrene fluorescence probe spectrometry; drug loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency were measured based on β-carotene.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Polymer micelle was successfully prepared with StarPCL-FA, the size of resulting micelle was nano-scale, CMC was relatively low, and the micelle was stable with dilution and existed for a long time in pure water. However, a slightly increase of the size was observed with time prolonging. The micelle prepared was stable in water with time and with dilution, which was essential for drug delivery because the burst-like release of drug from micelles could be avoided when injected into blood stream. In addition, the drug loading efficiency with β-carotene as model drug was measured about 3%-4 %. The micelle had an ability of loading β-carotene; however the loading efficiency could be further improved.

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