Photocrosslinkable Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-Hyperbranched Polyglycerol (PCL-b-hbPG) with Improved Biocompatibility and Stability for Drug Delivery

Abstract

The major limitations of nanocarriers for drug delivery are the poor biocompatibility and low stability that may induce the unintended burst release of loaded drugs during blood circulation. To overcome these limitations, a photocrosslinkable amphiphilic block copolymer consisting of hydrophobic poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) block and a hydrophilic hyperbranched polyglycerol (hbPG) block with improved biocompatibility and stability for drug delivery is developed. They are readily prepared via UV-triggered chemical crosslinking with 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CA) modification in the hbPG block. The photocrosslinked hbPG-b-PCL-CA nanoparticles are spherical and the size of nanoparticles is increased to 60 30 nm. Photocrosslinked hbPG-b-PCL-CA nanoparticles exhibit significantly high stability in a physiological buffer and the loaded drug in sustained manner. In addition, photocrosslinked hbPG-b-PCL-CA nanoparticles show good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. These data imply the promising potential of photocrosslinked hbPG-b-PCL-CA nanoparticles as nanocarriers for drug delivery.