DPD studies on mixed micelles self-assembled from MPEG-PDEAEMA and MPEG-PCL for controlled doxorubicin release

In order to better understand and improve the drug loading capacity and release behavior of the pH-responsive mixed micelles in well controlled pH environments, dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations are employed. This is performed by studying the co-micellization behavior of these materials produced from the two specific diblock polymers, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-b-poly(N, N diethylamino ethyl methacrylate) (MPEG-PDEAEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-b-polycaprolactone (MPEG-PCL) for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery. With the use of appropriate interaction parameters, the formation mechanism of (drug-loaded) mixed micelles, particle sizes, morphology, and composition are investigated. Simulation results show that compared with pure MPEG-PDEAEMA or MPEG-PCL, the mixed MPEG-PDEAEMA and MPEG-PCL system can combine to form multifunctional mixed micelles with larger particle sizes that lead to improved stability, higher drug loading capacity and better-controlled drug release performance. Simulations of the drug release process using the mixed micelles show that, when the environment is acidic, the tertiary amine group of PDEAEMA and DOX3 lead to rapid diffusion and release of the DOX in the aqueous solution. It is found that the presence of MPEG-PCL has a great influence in avoiding the fast release of the drug inside the core of micelles. Therefore, this study offers a deeper understanding of the mechanism on the co-micellization behaviors, the pH-responsive and drug controlled release behaviors of mixed micelles.