Interaction between Cationic Micelles and Hyaluronan

Abstract

Micelles are particles of colloidal dimension and it is known that in an aqueous phase can solubilize water insoluble molecules (hydrophobic biologically active substances) in their inner core. However surfactants may have adverse effects on biological structures. Association of micelles with suitable bioacceptable molecules (e.g. hyaluronan) may lead to enhance their biocompatibility, decrease the nanoparticles cytotoxicity and also to target to the specific receptors in a human body. In this study, results of the research of electrostatic coating of cationic micelle with hyaluronan are reported. The cationic micelle/hyaluronan complexes were studied using turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering method and were evaluated to determine their structure, average size and zeta potential as a function of the amount of the both component in the system. Turbidimetric titration was chosen as indicator of the loss of intensity of transmitted light due to the scattering effect of particles associated from hyaluronan and surfactant in it. Dynamic light scattering measurement provided information about size distribution and zeta potential during mixing of component. Pilot solubilization experiments were performed to evaluation of stability and solubilization ability of the complexes. Results of turbidimetry revealed that aggregates formation (turbidity increasing) depends especially on hyaluronan concentration while surfactant concentration (above critical micelle concentration) affects interaction insignificantly. Dynamic light scattering experiments indicate that hyaluronan molecular weight has insignificant effect on isoelectric point of the systems. It was found that solubilization ability of the complexes is influenced by molecular weight of hyaluronan.