PEG-g-poly(aspartamide-co-N,N-dimethylethylenediamino aspartamide): Synthesis, characterization and its application as a drug delivery system

PEG-g-poly(aspartamide-co-N,N-dimethylethylenediamino aspartamide) (PEG-DMEDA-PASP) was synthesized by two-step ring-opening reactions of polysuccinimide (PSI) with α-methoxy-ω-amino-poly(ethylene glycol) and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine. The polymer structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and FT-IR. The resultant PEG-DMEDA-PASP with ammonium glycyrrhizinate (AMG) could form polymeric micelles in aqueous solution. The results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed that these polymeric micelles were spherical particles with a narrow diameter distribution and that their average diameter was ca. 70 nm. These polymeric micelles had high-loading capacity (58%) and encapsulation efficiency (70%) for AMG. The results of in vitro release experiments showed that these polymeric micelles possessed sustained-release effects, with a release rate of 25% within 3 h and 90% within 24 h.