Preparation and pH/temperature dual drug release behavior of polyamino acid nanomicelles

Poly(lysine-phenylalanine-tyrosine) block copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of amino anhydride, and the structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. The amphiphilic copolymers could be self-assembled with model-drug Doxorubicin to form spherical nanomicelles in the mixed solution of DMSO and water. The particle size distribution and morphology were characterized investigated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscope, respectively. Drug release experiments in vitro showed that the nanomicelles were pH/temperature dual responsiveness. The cumulative release rate of the drug under acidic conditions could get to more than 82% at 37 °C.