Chimeric liposomes incorporating functional copolymers: preparation and pH/thermo-responsive behaviour in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to prepare stimuli-responsive chimeric liposomes (i.e. hybrid polymer-lipid liposomes) containing functional copolymers and conduct aqueous solution studies in order to determine their properties and potential as drug-delivery nanocarriers. Two random copolymers, composed of the hydrophilic, pH and thermo-responsive 2-(dimethyl amino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) monomer and the hydrophobic stearyl methacrylate (SMA) monomer, were synthesized via free-radical polymerization and molecularly characterized using SEC, FTIR, and 1H-NMR. The synthesis was followed by aqueous solution studies, utilising dynamic light scattering (DLS) in order to determine their stimuli responsive self-assembly properties. The preparation of chimeric liposomes was mediated by thin film deposition and hydration, followed by aqueous solution studies via DLS, ζ-potential and fluorescence spectroscopy. The drug-loading studies include curcumin loading via a thin film deposition and hydration technique, while aqueous solution properties of the drug-loaded chimeric liposomes were determined utilizing DLS, and UV–Vis spectroscopy.

Keywords:

• Chimeric liposomes
• light scattering
• thermoresponsive copolymer
• pH-responsive copolymer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Scheme 1. Synthetic route for P(DMAEMA-co-SMA) copolymers utilising free-radical polymerisation.