Polymeric micelles for drug delivery: solubilization and haemolytic activity of amphotericin B

Polymeric micelles may serve as nanoscopic, long-circulating carriers of hydrophobic drugs. In this study, we have researched the solubilization of amphotericin B (AmB), an antifungal drug, by micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(β benzyl- l-aspartate) (PEO-PBLA), the properties of the AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles and the resultant haemolytic activity of AmB. AmB loading takes place during self assembly of PEO-PBLA micelles, and this occurs through a dialysis procedure as an alkaline aqueous solution replaces the selective solvent for the polymer and the drug. In this way, AmB reaches levels of 57 to 141 μg/ml, corresponding to a loading efficiency of 27–30% (loaded AmB/initial amount of AmB). The molar ratio of AmB to PEO-PBLA is 0.40 to 1.0. Pictures by transmission electron microscopy reveal spherical AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles with a mean diameter of 25.8±4.2 nm. AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles are nonhaemolytic at an AmB level of 10 μg/ml as assessed by release of haemoglobin, measured by UV–Vis spectroscopy. AmB as Fungizone, its standard formulation, completely lyses red blood cells at a level of 3.0 μg/ml in 30 min. In contrast, there is no haemolysis at 5.5 h for AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles at 3.0 μg/ml of AmB, indicating the gradual release of AmB from PEO-PBLA micelles. PEO-PBLA itself is nonhaemolytic even at a level of 0.70 mg/ml. Most amphiphiles, e.g. sodium deoxycholate, present in Fungizone, are haemolytic. Finally, AmB-loaded PEO-PBLA micelles can be freeze-dried and easily reconstituted in water. Afterwards, AmB is present in the intact PEO-PBLA micelles and remains nonhaemolytic.