Nanocarriers from dicationic bis-imidazolium amphiphiles and their interaction with anionic drugs

Abstract

Dicationic gemini surfactants based on bis-imidazolium salts with bromide counterions were synthesized and shown to self-assemble into micellar-type structures in aqueous solution. The solubilisation capability of these micelles for anionic drugs (valproate) indicates their great potential as drug nanocarriers. A range of physicochemical techniques including surface tension, fluorescence spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and pulsed-gradient spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance (PGSE-NMR) have been used to determine the nanocarrier (micelle) structure and to quantify the interaction of the drug with the nanocarrier. The insights gained here, structural activity relationships such as hydrophobic dependence of the CMC and drug binding isotherms, will allow for a rational optimization of molecular structure.