Thermodynamics of AOT Micelle Formation in Ethylammonium Nitrate

AOT micelle formation in ethylammonium nitrate (an ionic liquid) was investigated by surface tension measurement in this article and the critical micelle concentrations (cmc) of AOT in ethylammonium nitrate at different temperatures were obtained. The thermodynamic parameters of micelle formation were obtained according to the two-phase thermodynamic model. The results suggested that the micelle formation of AOT in ethylammonium nitrate was a spontaneous, endothermal and entropy-increasing process.     

Effects of Inorganic Salts on Micellization and Solubilization in an Aqueous Solution of Poly(ethylene oxide)/Poly(propylene oxide)/Poly(ethylene oxide) Triblock Copolymer

The effects of inorganic salts on micellization and solubilization of prednisolone in aqueous solution of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer (Pluronic P85) were studied. The effect of inorganic salts on decrease in the cloud point and the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of Pluronic P85 was the order of Na₂HPO₄ > NaH₂PO₄ > NaCl > NaBr. Moreover, it was found that Pluronic P85 forms two kinds of micelles: monomolecular micelles and polymolecular micelles. The polymolecular micelle increased with increasing amount of added inorganic salts. Moreover, solubilization behavior is explained from the standpoint of salting out for prednisolone and association characteristics of Pluronic P85.     

Multifunctional Core‐Shell‐Corona‐Type Polymeric Micelles for Anticancer Drug‐Delivery and Imaging

We have developed core‐shell‐corona‐type polymeric micelles that can integrate multiple functions in one system, including the capability of accommodating hydrophobic dyes into core and hydrophilic drug into the shell, as well as pH‐triggered drug‐release. The neutral and hydrophilic corona sterically stabilizes the multifunctional polymeric micelles in aqueous solution. The mineralization of calcium phosphate (CaP) on the PAA domain not only enhances the diagnostic efficacy of organic dyes, but also works as a diffusion barrier for the controlled release.     

Synthesis of steroidal dendrimers modified by ‘click’ chemistry with PAMAM dendrons as unimolecular micelles

Novel Fréchet–PAMAM hybrid dendrimers linked by triazole units as unimolecular micelles with a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrophilic shell were prepared. The dendritic cores with 3 and 6 alkyne terminal groups were synthesized from 1,3,5-tribromomethyl-benzene (tBrMeB), in one case by direct coupling with 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE); in the second one the tBrMeB was reacted with bis(hydroxymethyl) phenol followed by chlorination of the hydroxyl groups and subsequent coupling to EE. With this strategy, the core can be grown by further substitutions of bis(hydroxymethyl) phenol over the halogenated terminals as Fréchet dendrimer. The hydrophilic shells used were PAMAM type dendrons of 0.5 and 1.5 generations with azide as focal point and tert-butyl ester as end groups. The unimolecular micelles were obtained by cycloaddition between an azide in the selected dendron and the alkyne terminal in the hydrophobic core to obtain a 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole. Once the coupling was achieved, the tert-butyl ester groups were hydrolyzed in trifluoroacetic acid and the corresponding dendrimers with carboxylic acid as end groups were completely soluble in phosphate buffer solutions of pH 7.0, 7.4, and 8.0. All hybrid dendrimers were characterized by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and FTIR.     

ABC Triblock Copolymer Micelles: Spherical Versus Worm‐Like Micelles Depending on the Preparation Method

Well‐defined ABC triblock copolymers based on two hydrophilic blocks, A and C, and a hydrophobic block B are synthesized and their self‐assembly behavior is investigated. Interestingly, at the same solvent, concentration, pH, and temperature, different shape micelles are observed, spherical and worm‐like micelles, depending on the preparation method. Specifically, spherical micelles are observed with bulk rehydration while both spherical and worm‐like micelles are observed with film rehydration.

     

Highly Sensitive “Off/On” EPR Probes to Monitor Enzymatic Activity

The assessment of unregulated level of enzyme activity is a crucial parameter for early diagnoses in a wide range of pathologies. In this study, we propose the use of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as an easy method to probe carboxylesterase (CE) enzymatic activity in vitro. For this application, were synthesized two amphiphilic, nitroxide containing esters, namely Tempo-C12 (T-C12) and Tempo-2-C12 (T-2-C12). They exhibit low solubility in water and form stable micelles in which the radicals are EPR almost silent, but the hydrolysis of the ester bond yields narrows and intense EPR signals. The intensity of the EPR signals is proportional to the enzymatic activity. CEs1, CEs2 and esterase from porcine liver (PLE) were investigated. The obtained results show that T-C12 and T-2-C12-containing systems display a much higher selectivity toward the CEs2, with a Limit of Detection of the same order of those ones obtained with optical methods.     

Enhanced Oral Absorption of Icaritin by Using Mixed Polymeric Micelles Prepared with a Creative Acid-Base Shift Method

The purpose of this study was to develop mixed polymeric micelles with high drug loading capacity to improve the oral bioavailability of icaritin with Soluplus^® and Poloxamer 407 using a creative acid-base shift (ABS) method, which exhibits the advantages of exclusion of organic solvents, high drug loading and ease of scaling-up. The feasibility of the ABS method was successfully demonstrated by studies of icaritin-loaded polymeric micelles (IPMs). The prepared IPMs were characterized to have a spherical shape with a size of 72.74 ± 0.51 nm, and 13.18% drug loading content. In vitro release tests confirmed the faster release of icaritin from IPMs compared to an oil suspension. Furthermore, bioavailability of icaritin in IPMs in beagle dogs displayed a 14.9-fold increase when compared with the oil suspension. Transcellular transport studies of IPMs across Caco-2 cell monolayers confirmed that the IPMs were endocytosed in their intact forms through macropinocytosis, clathrin-, and caveolae-mediated pathways. In conclusion, the results suggested that the mixed micelles of Soluplus^® and Poloxamer 407 could be a feasible drug delivery system to enhance oral bioavailability of icaritin, and the ABS method might be a promising technology for the preparation of polymeric micelles to encapsulate poorly water-soluble weakly acidic and alkaline drugs.     

Probing the Interactions of Porphyrins with Macromolecules Using NMR Spectroscopy Techniques

Porphyrinic compounds are widespread in nature and play key roles in biological processes such as oxygen transport in blood, enzymatic redox reactions or photosynthesis. In addition, both naturally derived as well as synthetic porphyrinic compounds are extensively explored for biomedical and technical applications such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photovoltaic systems, respectively. Their unique electronic structures and photophysical properties make this class of compounds so interesting for the multiple functions encountered. It is therefore not surprising that optical methods are typically the prevalent analytical tool applied in characterization and processes involving porphyrinic compounds. However, a wealth of complementary information can be obtained from NMR spectroscopic techniques. Based on the advantage of providing structural and dynamic information with atomic resolution simultaneously, NMR spectroscopy is a powerful method for studying molecular interactions between porphyrinic compounds and macromolecules. Such interactions are of special interest in medical applications of porphyrinic photosensitizers that are mostly combined with macromolecular carrier systems. The macromolecular surrounding typically stabilizes the encapsulated drug and may also modify its physical properties. Moreover, the interaction with macromolecular physiological components needs to be explored to understand and control mechanisms of action and therapeutic efficacy. This review focuses on such non-covalent interactions of porphyrinic drugs with synthetic polymers as well as with biomolecules such as phospholipids or proteins. A brief introduction into various NMR spectroscopic techniques is given including chemical shift perturbation methods, NOE enhancement spectroscopy, relaxation time measurements and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy. How these NMR tools are used to address porphyrin–macromolecule interactions with respect to their function in biomedical applications is the central point of the current review.     

On the Rational Drug Design for Hypertension through NMR Spectroscopy

Antagonists of the AT1receptor (AT1R) are beneficial molecules that can prevent the peptide hormone angiotensin II from binding and activating the specific receptor causing hypertension in pathological states. This review article summarizes the multifaced applications of solid and liquid state high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in antihypertensive commercial drugs that act as AT1R antagonists. The 3D architecture of these compounds is explored through 2D NOESY spectroscopy and their interactions with micelles and lipid bilayers are described using solid state ¹³CP/MAS, ³¹P and ²H static solid state NMR spectroscopy. Due to their hydrophobic character, AT1R antagonists do not exert their optimum profile on the AT1R. Therefore, various vehicles are explored so as to effectively deliver these molecules to the site of action and to enhance their pharmaceutical efficacy. Cyclodextrins and polymers comprise successful examples of effective drug delivery vehicles, widely used for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs to the active site of the receptor. High resolution NMR spectroscopy provides valuable information on the physical-chemical forces that govern these drug:vehicle interactions, knowledge required to get a deeper understanding on the stability of the formed complexes and therefore the appropriateness and usefulness of the drug delivery system. In addition, it provides valuable information on the rational design towards the synthesis of more stable and efficient drug formulations.     

Stability of AgIII towards Halides in Organosilver(III) Complexes

The involvement of silver in two-electron Ag^I/Ag^III processes is currently emerging. However, the range of stability of the required and uncommon Ag^III species is virtually unknown. Here, the stability of Ag^III towards the whole set of halide ligands in the organosilver(III) complex frame [(CF₃)₃AgX]⁻ (X=F, Cl, Br, I, At) is theoretically analyzed. The results obtained depend on a single factor: the nature of X. Even the softest and least electronegative halides (I and At) are found to form reasonably stable Ag^III−X bonds. Our estimates were confirmed by experiment. The whole series of nonradiative halide complexes [PPh₄][(CF₃)₃AgX] (X=F, Cl, Br, I) has been experimentally prepared and all its constituents have been isolated in pure form. The pseudohalides [PPh₄][(CF₃)₃AgCN] and [PPh₄][(CF₃)₃Ag(N₃)] have also been isolated, the latter being the first silver(III) azido complex. Except for the iodo compound, all the crystal and molecular structures have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The decomposition paths of the [(CF₃)₃AgX]⁻ entities at the unimolecular level have been examined in the gas phase by multistage mass spectrometry (MSⁿ). The experimental detection of the two series of mixed complexes [CF₃AgX]⁻ and [FAgX]⁻ arising from the corresponding parent species [(CF₃)₃AgX]⁻ demonstrate that the Ag−X bond is particularly robust. Our experimental observations are rationalized with the aid of theoretical methods. Smooth variation with the electronegativity of X is also observed in the thermolyses of bulk samples. The thermal stability in the solid state gradually decreases from X=F (145 °C, dec.) to X=I (78 °C, dec.) The experimentally established compatibility of Ag^III with the heaviest halides is of particular relevance to silver-mediated or silver-catalyzed processes.