Hyperbranched vs. linear poly(disulfide) for intracellular drug delivery

Abstract

This communication reports comparative studies between amphiphilic hyperbranched and linear poly(disulfide) with regard to their aggregation and glutathione-responsive intracellular drug delivery. Both polymers, having similar hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties, produce micellar particles of comparable size. However, the hyperbranched polymer micelle exhibits much higher drug loading content and drug loading efficiency compared to the linear polymer. In the presence of glutathione, encapsulated Dox could be released from both aggregates. Cellular uptake is significantly better for the hyperbranched polymer compared to the linear polymer. As a result of these factors, the cell killing efficiency of the doxorubicin entrapped hyperbranched polymer micelle is significantly higher compared to its linear analogue.