A novel approach for fabricating nanocomposite materials by embedding stabilized core-shell micelles into polysaccharide cryogel matrix

We report a novel approach for fabricating nanocomposite polysaccharide-based carriers for sustained delivery of poorly-water-soluble drugs by embedding stabilized core-shell micelles (SPM) possessing hydrophobic cores into super-macroporous hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) cryogels. Firstly, nano-sized SPM were synthesized by loading and photochemical crosslinking of pentaerythritoltetraacrylate (PETA) in poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO19PPO29PEO19) core-shell micelles. Next, HPC cryogels containing different amount of SPM were fabricated by combination of cryogenic treatment and photo-crosslinking. A crosslinking agent, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, was used to enhance the density of polymer network. The effect of SPM concentration on gel fraction yield, swelling degree, cryogel morphology and mechanical properties were studied. Nanocomposite cryogels were loaded with curcumin and their encapsulation efficiency and drug release profile as a function of SPM content were investigated. The cytotoxic effect of blank and curcumin loaded nanocomposite cryogels was assessed as well.