Chemical modification of hydrophobic block in poly(ethylene oxide) poly(caprolactone) based nanocarriers: effect on the solubilization and hemolytic activity of amphotericin B.

The aim of this study was to develop methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (MePEO-b-PCL) containing stearyl (St) substituents on PCL, and assess the efficacy of nanocarriers formed from this structure in comparison to unmodified MePEO-b-PCL and those with carboxyl substitutes on PCL on the solubilization and delivery of Amphotericin B (AmB). Prepared block copolymers were characterized for their molecular weight by (1)H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The self-assembly of synthesized MePEO-b-PStCL to spherical particles of nanometer size range was shown by dynamic light scattering as well as electron and atomic force microscopy. Encapsulated AmB showed a reduction in its hemolytic activity against rat red blood cells in comparison to the commercial formulation of AmB, Fungizone.