Preparation of PEG-PCL copolymers modified with folic acid for controlled delivery of methotrexate

Abstract

Several drugs have low solubility in the human body, decreasing its bioavailability. Currently, different drug delivery platforms have been studied in order to overcome this limitation. Among the carriers employed, the block copolymers have the advantage of interacting with drug either hydrophobic or hydrophilic, depending on the polymer nature. Since the human body is mostly hydrophilic, the study of these platforms is fundamental to the success of hydrophobic drug encapsulation, allowing greater circulation time in the body. The incorporation and controlled release efficiency is dependent on the size, morphology and the interaction of block copolymers. The study focuses on the physical and chemical properties of these materials (size and colloidal stability of the micelles, polymeric chain length and micelle-drug affinity) in order to get a drug incorporation allowing a better controlled release. The use of these carriers is promising in the development of drug delivery systems. The reduction of side effects due to the use of these carriers, allow the patient a less aggressive and more effective treatment, improving the quality of life. In this work, we intend to evaluate the formation of micelles of PEG-co-PCL copolymers surface modified with folic acid in order to evaluate the efficiency of methotrexate delivery.