Bioactive vesicles from saccharide- and hexanoyl-modified poly(l-lysine) copolypeptides and evaluation of the cross-linked vesicles as carriers of doxorubicin for controlled drug release

► A simple and versatile synthesis of an amphiphilic glycopolypeptide through the conjugation of both saccharide and alkyl chain onto poly(l-lysine). ► This glycopolypeptide self-assembled to form vesicles and can be stabilized via genipin-cross-link. ► This type of cross-linkable glycopolypeptide vesicles has the advantages including stable structure, pH-responsiveness, and cell-targeting ability. ► A high Dox loading level (45 wt.%) can be achieved with the aid of sonication as a pH gradient. ► Their cytocompatibility improved upon grafting the saccharide group and cross-link.