Triblock copolymers with surface-active properties, referred to as Pluronic, have shown potential medical applications such as drug delivery to selective targets in the human body. In particular, the transport of anti-inflammatory substances to the brain is required for illness treatment, thus the study of delivery agents that cross the blood-brain barrier is relevant. In this article we study the effects of the micelle formation on the morphologic and cytotoxic properties of Pluronic F68. We determinate the critical micellar concentration (CMC) by standard tensiometric and absorbance measurements, and also we analyze the morphology of polymers by atomic force microscopy. Our observations indicate that the morphological properties of F68 are drastically modified in the CMC range, as well as the ability to increase the viability of neuroblastoma cells maintained under culture conditions, as compared with nontreated cells. Our conclusions highlight the close correlation between morphological and physiochemical properties of Pluronic, which must be further understood in order to achieve highly controlled pharmacological uses.
Some
PluronicF68 (F68) triblock copolymer properties demonstrate surprising
applications in selective drug administration, such as the transportation
of hydrophobic anti-inflammatories through epithelial barriers. Nuclear
magnetic resonance (
1
H-NMR) spectroscopy was carried out
for micelle precursor dispersions and F68 films modified with a synthetic
imogolite (IMO) biocompatible hydrogel. Theoretical calculations and
morphological assessment for the process of morphogenesis of dendritic
crystallization were performed by molecular docking and atomic force
microscopy (AFM) of the Sudan III-IMO-F68 composite, which was more
hydrophobic than Sudan III-F68 and carried out the prolonged release
of the Sudan III “drug” captured by a water–octanol
interface determined by standard absorbance. Surface fusions were
measured and compared to the unmodified matrix. However, despite the
superior properties of the composite, the critical micelle concentration
(CMC) was practically unmodified because solitary IMO strands attached
to Sudan III formed Sudan III-IMO. These strands unraveled in a stable
manner by expanding like a “spiderweb” in hydrophilic
interfaces according to NMR analysis of the hydrogen one H
1
polarization of Sudan III and F68 methyl, whose correlation relates
hydrophobicity of Sudan III-IMO-F68 with dendrite properties from
F68 concentrations. CMC and surface fusions equivalent to F68 surface
properties, calculated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic
Raman spectroscopy, were determined by AFM and high-resolution ellipsometry.
Our results show highly specialized pharmacological applications since
micelle surfaces expand, triggering maximum deliveries of “Drugs”
from its interior to the physiological environment. The implanted
sensor prototype determined equilibria reached Sudan III according
to temperature (32–50 °C) and time it took to cross the
membrane model 1-octanol (48 h). The findings suggest that the targested
design of a F68-IMO-“Drug” would function as a microdevice
for the prolonged release of hydrophobic drugs. In addition, the said
microdevice could regenerate the damaged tissue in the central nervous
system or other organs of the body. This is due to the fact that it
could perform both tasks simultaneously, given the properties and
characteristics acquired by the compatible material depending on the
temperature of the physiological environment.
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