Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic dextran/pseudo-protein self-assembled micelles as anticancer drug carriers

Amphiphilic micelles are widely used in biomedicine, which contain a hydrophilic shell and a hydrophobic core. In this study, phenylalanine poly (ester amide)s (Phe-PEA) were synthesized by solution polycondensation of phenylalanine, di alcohol, and dicarboxylic acid, which were biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and nontoxic. Phe-PEA was connected with dextran of different molecular weights to obtain a series of block polymers of different lengths (Dex-Phe-PEA). The results revealed that Dex-Phe-PEA could self-assemble into amphiphilic micelles in water with a stable spherical shape and uniform size distribution (Đ < 0.4). The micellar system exhibited negligible cytotoxicity (cell viability >90% at 80 μg/mL concentration) and enzymatic degradability. To verify the possibility of these micelles as drug carriers, the hydrophobic anticancer drug curcumin (Cur) was encapsulated in the hydrophobic core. The micelle exhibits a high encapsulation efficiency (66–84%) and drug loading (4.2–9.9%). Cur-loaded micelles showed significant inhibitory effects on HeLa cells (cell viability <34% at 80 μg/mL concentration). In vitro drug release experiments proved that the material is pH sensitive [the micelles exhibited faster Cur release at a cancerous pH (5.4, 52–62%) than at a physiological pH (7.4, 29–43%)], and is an excellent anticancer drug carrier.