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The polyion complex nano-prodrug of doxorubicin (DOX) with poly(lactic acid-co-malic acid)-block-polyethylene glycol: preparation and drug controlled release

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Abstract

A polyion complex nano-prodrug based on the complexation of the ionomer of poly(lactic acid-co-malic acid)-block-polyethylene glycol [Poly(LA-co-MA)-b-PEG] with doxorubicin (DOX) was developed. The ionomer was prepared by a direct polycondensation of d,l-lactic acid (LA), l-malic acid (MA), and monomethyl polyethylene glycol (PEG) using stannous chloride (SnCl2) as the catalyst. The nanoparticles were formed through electrostatic interactions between the side carboxyl groups of MA units in the ionomer and amino groups of DOX. The nanoparticle possessed an amphiphilic structure with a hydrophobic core of the complexed DOX and Poly(LA-co-MA) and a hydrophilic shell of PEG. The nanoparticle solution was stable, and the particle sizes were in the range of 110–140 nm. The DOX was loaded as a prodrug with loading rate as high as 18.2 %. The drug release could be controlled, showing responsiveness of acids and ionic strength. The cumulative release was as high as 94 %. The nanoparticles could be potentially used as anti-cancer drug vehicles.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Science and Technology Support Program of Jiangsu Province (BE2012017); State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources, and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University (2012490911).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Key Laboratory of Food Colloids and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China

    Yanan Zhang, Caihua Ni, Gang Shi, Jie Wang, Meng Zhang & Wang Li

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  1. Yanan Zhang
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  2. Caihua Ni
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  3. Gang Shi
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  4. Jie Wang
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  5. Meng Zhang
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  6. Wang Li
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Correspondence to Caihua Ni.

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Zhang, Y., Ni, C., Shi, G. et al. The polyion complex nano-prodrug of doxorubicin (DOX) with poly(lactic acid-co-malic acid)-block-polyethylene glycol: preparation and drug controlled release. Med Chem Res 24, 1189–1195 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-014-1206-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00044-014-1206-7

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