Glucose triggered enhanced solubilisation, release and cytotoxicity of poorly water soluble anti-cancer drugs fromT1307 micelles

- Glucose promotes micellization of an amphiphilic copolymer Tetronic®1307 in water.
- The CMC, CMT and CP obtained from surface tension and HSDSC decreased.
- The Dh (from DLS) and Rc, Rhs and Nagg(from SANS) increased.
- The solubilisation, release and cytotoxicity of drugs improved.
- The presence of glucose dehydrates corona inducing hydrophobicity in micelles.

Tetronic® 1307 (here after written as T1307) is a hydrophilic ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EO-PO) star block copolymer with long EO chains (Total MW- 18000 and 70% EO). Although biocompatible, its use as a nanocarrier is restricted owing to its high critical micelle concentration (CMC) and temperature (CMT). We examined if the addition of glucose, a common pharmaceutical ingredient promotes micellization. Scattering and thermal studies show formation of stable unimodal micelles and cloud point (CP) decreased linearly. The solubilization of anticancer drugs viz. curcumin (CN) and quercetin (QN) demonstrates improved controlled release kinetics and cytotoxicity. On the whole, modulation in micellar behaviour by glucose opens enchanting possibility of using T1307 micelles as nanoreservoirs.