Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol.33, No.21, 1868-1874, 2012
Shell Cross-linking of Cyclodextrin-Based Micelles via Supramolecular Chemistry for the Delivery of Drugs
A block copolymer based on poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and a block with a statistical distribution of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) and repeating unit with carrying beta-cyclodextrin was prepared via reversible additionfragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and click reaction. Addition of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate-s-adamantylmethyl acrylate) P(HEA(17)-s-AdMA(7)) above the LCST of the block copolymer led to capture of the micelle structure of 36 nm against disassembly. The drug- (albendazole) loaded supramolecular assembly, which was fixed via hostguest complexation between beta-cyclodextrin and adamantane, was then tested as a drug carrier. Cell viability studies using human ovarian carcinoma cell line (OVCAR-3) cell lines show a higher toxicity of the shell cross-linked micelle compared with the free block copolymer.