Issue 33, 2014

Polymeric micelles as drug delivery vehicles

Abstract

Though much progress has been made in drug delivery systems, the design of a suitable carrier for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs is still a major challenge for researchers. The use of micellar solutions of low molecular weight surfactants has been one of the popular methods for the solubilization of hydrophobic drugs; however, such surfactants suffer from high critical micelle concentration and concomitant low stabilities. In contrast to surfactants of low molecular masses, polymeric micelles are associated with general advantages like higher stability, tailorability, greater cargo capacity, non-toxicity and controlled drug release. Therefore, the current review article is focused on the engineering of the core of polymeric micelles for maximum therapeutic effect. For enhanced drug encapsulation capacity and getting useful insights into the controlled release mechanism we have reviewed the effects of temperature and pH on responsive polymeric micelles. The article also presents important research outcomes about mixed polymeric micelles as better drug carriers in comparison to single polymeric micelles.

Graphical abstract: Polymeric micelles as drug delivery vehicles

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
15 Janv. 2014
Accepted
29 Marts 2014
First published
31 Marts 2014

RSC Adv., 2014,4, 17028-17038

Polymeric micelles as drug delivery vehicles

Z. Ahmad, A. Shah, M. Siddiq and H. Kraatz, RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 17028 DOI: 10.1039/C3RA47370H

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