Sensitive complex micelles based on host-guest recognition from chitosan-graft-β-cyclodextrin for drug release

In this paper, pH-sensitive complex micelles were developed based on the host-guest recognition from chitosan-graft-β-cyclodextrin (CS-g-CD) and benzimidazole-terminated poly(ε-caprolactone) (BM-PCL) for controlled drug release. The formation and characterization of complex micelles were confirmed by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and laser particle analyzer. The size of complex micelles was about 200 nm with the core formed by BM-PCL/β-CD and the shell composed of chitosan. Doxorubicin (DOX), a model anticancer drug, was effectively loaded into the complex micelles via hydrophobic interactions. The encapsulation efficiency of DOX was up to 75%. The release of DOX from complex micelles was suppressed at neutral pH solutions due to the stability of micelles but accelerated at acidic solutions and high temperatures. These sensitive complex micelles might possess potential applications as intelligent nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery.