New shell crosslinked micelles from dextran with hydrophobic end groups and their interaction with bioactive molecules

• Micelles formed by dextran hydrophobically end modified were stabilized by crosslinking.
• The parameters of divinyl sulfone crosslinking reaction were studied.
• Crosslinked micelles were functionalized through introduction of cationic groups.
• Crosslinked micelles and their cationic derivatives are potential supports for drug delivery.

Micelles formed in aqueous solution by dextran with hydrophobic (alkyl) end-groups were stabilized through divinyl sulfone crosslinking of the dextran shell. The efficacy of the crosslinking reaction was influenced by the divinyl sulfone amount, the pH and micelle concentration. Crosslinked micelles with a moderate crosslinking degree were further functionalized by attachment of 10 and 17 moles% N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-N,N-dimethyl-N-benzylammonium chloride groups along the dextran chain. The size and shape of both crosslinked micelles and their cationic derivatives were analyzed by DLS and TEM. The prepared micelles were able to bind anionic diclofenac (60–370 mg/g), hydrophobic anionic indometacin (70–120 mg/g), and hydrophobic alpha-tocopherol (170–220 mg/g) or ergocalciferol (90–110 mg/g) by hydrophobic or/and electrostatic forces. The release experiments and the antioxidant activity of bound alpha-tocopherol highlighted the potential of the new nano-sized micelles mainly as carriers for prolonged and controlled delivery of hydrophobic drugs.