Binary mixing of micelles using Pluronics for a nano-sized drug delivery system

Abstract

Pluronics with different structural compositions and properties are used for several applications, including drug delivery systems. We developed a binary mixing system with two Pluronics, L121/P123, as a nano-sized drug delivery carrier. The lamellar-forming Pluronic L121 (0.1 wt%) was incorporated with Pluronic P123 to produce nano-sized dispersions (in case of 0.1 and 0.5 wt% P123) with high stability due to Pluronic P123 and high solubilization capacity due to Pluronic L121. The binary systems were spherical and less than 200-nm diameter, with high thermodynamic stability (at least 2 weeks) in aqueous solution. The CMC of the binary system was located in the middle of the CMC of each polymer. In particular, the solubilization capacity of the binary system (0.1/0.1 wt%) was higher than mono-systems of P123. The main advantage of binary systems is overcoming limitations of mono systems to allow tailored mixing of block copolymers with different physicochemical characteristics. These nano-sized systems may have potential as anticancer drug delivery systems with simple preparation method, high stability, and high loading capacity.