New side chain design for pH-responsive block copolymers for drug delivery.

ABSTRACT: New molecular motifs that can act as pH-regulating triggers for amphiphilic, pH-sensitive block copolymers are investigated. Inspired by the mechanism of action of pH-indicators, such as methyl orange, and natural amino acids, we designed these copolymers where either 4-Amino-4'-dimethylaminoazobenzene, AZB (pK_a 3.4, an amine derivative of methyl orange), isoleucine, Ile (pK_a 2.37 for carboxylic acid), or a statistical mixture of both were appended as side chains to the hydrophobic block to act as pH-triggers. These new side chain motifs were identified with an aim to enhance the self-assembling properties of the block copolymers in terms of particle size and stability, drug encapsulation, and release. As the parent polymer, poly (ethylene) glycol-block- poly (carbona

SUBMITTER: Ray P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9387087 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature