Novel Tween® 20 derivatives enable the formation of efficient pH-sensitive drug delivery vehicles for human hepatoblastoma

We describe the synthesis, the physicochemical characterization and the biological evaluation of three novel pH-sensitive systems prepared derivatizing polysorbate 20 (Tween® 20) with glycine, N-methyl-glycine and N,N-dimethyl-glycine (TW20-GLY, TW20-MMG and TW20-DMG). These derivatives form pH-sensitive vesicles and translocate small molecules into cells. The reported systems are efficient drug delivery systems for human hepatoblastoma cells.

Graphical abstractNovel pH-sensitive Tween® 20 derivatives give niosomes and deliver small molecules into human hepatoblastoma cells.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide