pH-Sensitive drug delivery system based on hydrophobic modified konjac glucomannan

Amphiphilic aliphatic amines grafted konjac glucomannan (KGM-g-AH8, KGM-g-AH12 and KGM-g-AH18) micelles were prepared via a simple two-step synthesis with Schiff's base as the “switch” to achieve intracellular acid-triggered curcumin release. The KGM-g-AH8 self-assembled into spherical nano-micelles (107.6 ± 11.6 nm) in an aqueous medium, and presented high curcumin loading capacity as well as good physical stability in 28 days. The in vitro curcumin release behaviors proved the controlled release property and the endosomal/lysosomal pH response of KGM-g-AH8 micelles. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies were also investigated to exhibit the intracellular pH-sensitivity, safety and biocompatibility of KGM-g-AH8 micelles. This research focuses on the feasibility of KGM-based micelles to be extrapolated as promising strategies for cancer therapy and offers new potential options for intracellular drug delivery.