Fennel-like nanoaggregates based on polysaccharide derivatives and their application in drug delivery

Abstract

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles, which hold hierarchical morphologies, are of importance for controlled drug delivery. In this work, nanoparticles with fennel-like morphology were prepared from graft copolymers of hydroxyethylcellulose and poly(p-dioxane). The effect of microstructure parameters on the morphological transition of the nano-aggregates was studied and the nanoparticles were investigated as a carrier of hydrophobic drug. The morphology and drug release property of the nanoparticles were found to be related with the degree of substitution and molecular weight of graft chain of the copolymer.