Pluronic F127 Micelles Research Articles

Photophysical studies of graphene quantum dots - Pyrene-derivatized porphyrins conjugates when encapsulated within Pluronic F127 micelles

Pyrene-derivatized H2, GaCl, and Zn porphyrins were immobilized on graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to form (GQDs-H2TPrP, GQDs-GaClTPrP, and GQDs-ZnTPrP) conjugates through the π-π stacking interaction method followed by encapsulating into Pluronic F127 micelles to form (GQDs-H2TPrP + F127, GQDs-GaClTPrP + F127, and GQDs-ZnTPrP + F127). Spectroscopic evidence shows that the resultant conjugates were stable due to the strong π-π stacking interaction between the GQDs and the porphyrins. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen generating behaviour of the porphyrins were investigated following incorporation. GQDs-GaClTPrP + F127 showed highest values of the binding constant (Kb). The Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv) for GQDs-ZnTPrP + F127 were the highest compared to other porphyrins derivatives.

Ultrastretchable, Self-Healable Hydrogels Based on Dynamic Covalent Bonding and Triblock Copolymer Micellization

Excellent mechanical properties and remarkable self-healing ability are difficult to unify in one hydrogel. We integrated acylhydrazone bonds and Pluronic F127 (PF127) micelle cross-linking, as two kinds of dynamic cross-links, in one system and developed hydrogels with superior stretchability, high toughness, and good self-healing ability. The hydrogel could stretch up to 117 times its initial length and self-heal approximately 85% of its initial strength within 24 h. The toughness of the hydrogel, indexed by the work of extension, W, reached 14.1 MJ m–3. Energy dissipation occurred from the simultaneous decomposition of the PF127 micelles and chain sliding facilitated by the reconfiguration of the acylhydrazone bonds. This unique combination and dynamics led to pronounced hysteresis in the loading–unloading cycles, as well as good recovery and self-healing of the hydrogel. Dynamic cross-linking of the covalent acylhydrazone bonds was comparable to those of physical interactions, such as coordination and...

Chitosan coated PluronicF127 micelles for effective delivery of Amphotericin B in experimental visceral leishmaniasis

The goal of study was to develop micellar formulation of Amphotericin B (AmB) to improve its antileishmanial efficacy. AmB loaded pluronic F127 (PF 127) micelles were developed and coated with chitosan (Cs-PF-AmB-M) to accord immunoadjuvant and macrophage targeting properties. Hemolysis and cytotoxicity studies demonstrated that Cs-PF-AmB-M was 7.93 fold (at 20μg/ml AmB concentration) and 9.35 fold less hemolytic and cytotoxic, respectively in comparison to AmB suspension. Flow cytometry studies indicated that Cs-PF-FITC-M was 21.97 fold higher internalized byJ774A.1 macrophage in comparison to PF-FITC-M.Cs-PF-AmB-M showed excellent in-vitro (1.82 fold in compared to AmB suspension) and in-vivo (75.84±7.91% parasitic inhibition) antileishmanial activity against macrophage resident intracellular promastigotes and Leishmania donovani infected Syrian hamsters, respectively. Chitosan coating stimulated a Th1 immune response mediating auxiliary immunotherapeutic action as judged by in-vitro and in-vivo cytokine and mRNA expression. Toxicity studies demonstrated normal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and plasma creatinine (PC) level and no sign of abnormal histopathology upon intravenous administration of micellar formulations. Pharmacokinetic profiling and tissue distribution studies indicated that AmB was preferentially localized in macrophage harboring tissue instead of kidney, thereby circumventing the characteristic nephrotoxicity. Conclusively, Cs-PF-AmB-M could be a viable alternative for the current immuno and chemotherapy of visceral leishmaniasis (VL).

Polymeric micelles as a new generation of anti-oxidant carriers

A promising strategy to immobilize a natural stabilizer in polymeric films is presented. Particularly, nevadensin (N, a natural basil flavonoid) molecules have been encapsulated in Pluronic F-127 micelles [F127, a triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide)] and the obtained nanoparticles have been introduced in poly(ethylene glycol), PEG [otherwise known as poly(ethylene oxide), PEO]. In order to verify the effectiveness of the micelles as anti-oxidant carriers, PEG-based films have been subjected to artificial weathering. The encapsulation of anti-oxidant molecules allows the enhancement of N solubility in PEG, leading to advanced materials with enhanced photo-oxidative stability.

Thermochromic Ion-Exchange Micelles Containing H+ Chromoionophores.

Thermochromic composites constitute a classical subfamily of stimuli responsive materials. We report here the thermochromic effect in Pluronic F-127 (F127) micelles containing hydrophobic ion-exchanger and H+ chromoionophores. The highly versatile and reversible thermochromism is attributed to the temperature-induced hydration-dehydration of the peripheral layer of the micelles, which in turn controls the ion-exchange process between the core and the periphery of the micelles. The color typically changes abruptly within 3-5 °C, and the color transition temperature can be tuned within 5-25 °C upon varying the F127 concentrations. This work lays the foundation of a new variety of thermochromic materials involving ion-exchange.

Silica Nanotubes with Widely Adjustable Inner Diameter and Ordered Silicas with Ultralarge Cylindrical Mesopores Templated by Swollen Micelles of Mixed Pluronic Triblock Copolymers

Mixtures of commercially available Pluronic poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymers combined with appropriate swelling agents are proposed as templates for silica nanotubes and ordered silicas with very large cylindrical mesopores. In particular, swollen micelles of Pluronic F127 (EO106PO70EO106) with long poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains and low poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) content (30 wt %) mixed with a Pluronic with a higher PPO content (60–70 wt %) and short PEO chains were found at 11 °C to template two-dimensional hexagonal SBA-15 silicas with ultralarge (100) interplanar spacings up to ∼30 nm. Moreover, when the ratio of the silica precursor to the triblock copolymer mixture was appropriately lowered, silica nanotubes were readily obtained. While the addition of the high-PPO-content Pluronic facilitated the uptake of the swelling agent (toluene), allowing one to achieve very large inner tube diameters (∼35 nm), smaller diameters down to ∼10 nm were systematically generated using lower relative quantities of the swelling agent. As-synthesized (surfactant-containing) nanotubes of very large diameter had a tendency to flatten into ribbons and twist or bend, resulting in materials that had rather featureless pore size distributions after the surfactant removal. However, the degradation of these nanotubes was suppressed by increasing the hydrothermal treatment temperature (from 100 to 110–130 °C). The nanotubes exhibited high surface areas (424–911 m2/g) and large total pore volumes (∼2 cm3/g), in addition to the well-defined and widely tunable inner diameter (10–35 nm), even if they tended to cluster upon removal of the surfactant. It is envisioned that swollen mixed PEO-based surfactants will provide new templating opportunities for nanotubes of different compositions and for other nanoporous materials.

Cross-Linked Micellar Spherical Nucleic Acids from Thermoresponsive Templates.

A one-pot synthesis of micellar spherical nucleic acid (SNA) nanostructures using Pluronic F127 as a thermoresponsive template is reported. These novel constructs are synthesized in a chemically straightforward process that involves intercalation of the lipid tails of DNA amphiphiles (CpG motifs for TLR-9 stimulation) into the hydrophobic regions of Pluronic F127 micelles, followed by chemical cross-linking and subsequent removal of non-cross-linked structures. The dense nucleic acid shell of the resulting cross-linked micellar SNA enhances their stability in physiological media and facilitates their rapid cellular internalization, making them effective TLR-9 immunomodulatory agents. These constructs underscore the potential of SNAs in regulating immune response and address the relative lack of stability of noncovalent constructs.

Ginsenoside Rg3 micelles mitigate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and enhance its anticancer efficacy

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective chemotherapy agents used in the treatment of hematological and solid tumors, however, it causes dose-related cardiotoxicity that may lead to heart failure in patients. One of the major reasons was increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), was powerful free radical scavengers and possessed cardioprotective effects. Nevertheless, Rg3 has low aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability, limiting its effects. Herein, we encapsulated Rg3 through spontaneous self-assembly of Pluronic F127 to improve its solubility and oral bioavailability. Moreover, co-administering Rg3 in Pluronic F127 micelles with doxorubicin can mitigate the cardiotoxicity, with ameliorating mitochondrial and metabolic function, improving calcium handling, and decreasing ROS production. In addition, it can improve the anticancer efficacy of doxorubicin. Therefore, our study provides a rational strategy for further developing a potentially viable adjunct-supportive treatment for reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency on chemotherapy.

Porphyrins Encapsulated into Pluronic F127 Micelles: Evaluating the Effect of the Central Metal and Substituents on the Photophysicochemical Properties in Water

Porphyrins Encapsulated into Pluronic F127 Micelles: Evaluating the Effect of the Central Metal and Substituents on the Photophysicochemical Properties in Water

Enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity of vorinostat-loaded pluronic micelles with prolonged release and reduced hepatic and renal toxicities

Vorinostat is the first histone deacetylase inhibitor approved by US FDA for use in cancer therapy. However, its limited aqueous solubility, low permeability, and suboptimal pharmacokinetics hinder its delivery. Thus, in this study, micelles of vorinostat with each of pluronic F68 (PF68) and pluronic F127 (PF127) were developed and optimized based on drug loading and entrapment. The optimized micelles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), zeta analyzer, and electron transmission microscopy. Their in vitro release, stability, in vitro cytotoxicity against HepG2, Caco-2, and MCF-7 cell lines, and finally, in vivo antitumor activity in mice bearing Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) were assessed. The highest entrapment efficiency was 99.09±2.16% and 94.19±2.37% for micelles of 1:50 drug to polymer ratio with each of PF127 and PF68, respectively. These micelles were nearly spherical with nanoscopic mean diameters of 72.61±10.66nm for PF68 and 91.88±10.70nm for PF127 with narrow size distribution. The micelles provided prolonged release at phosphate buffer saline pH7.4 up to 24h for PF68 and 72h for PF127. Potentiation of in vitro cytotoxicity of vorinostat was more pronounced with PF127 micelles particularly against MCF-7 cells. Compared with free vorinostat, the micelles with PF127 were more effective in inhibiting tumor growth as well as exhibiting significantly (p<0.05) diminished hepatic and renal toxicities. In conclusion, 1:50 vorinostat-PF127 micelles may facilitate i.v. formulations and can be suggested as a promising stable and safe nanoparticulate delivery system with prolonged release and potentiated cytotoxicity.

Novel green micelles Pluronic F-127 coating performance on nano zero-valent iron: Enhanced reactivity and innovative kinetics

Abstract The reactivity of nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) tends to be significantly reduced due to its aggregation in liquid phase. To address this problem, for the first time, NZVI was successfully modified by green micelles Pluronic F-127 for reduction of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Pluronic F-127, a nontoxic and biodegradable copolymer, exhibits enhanced reactivity for removal of Cr(VI) by being coated on NZVI. The systematic observation and characterizations of (including SEM, TEM, and XRD) illustrate that, compared with bare nano zero-valent iron particles (BNZVI), the particle size of Pluronic F-127 modified NZVI (FNZVI) was decreased, while the dispersity and antioxidizability of FNZVI were increased. Furthermore, C O band appeared in XPS and FT-IR pattern of FNZVI indicated successful coating of Pluronic F-127 micelles on NZVI. This study also demonstrated that FNZVI dosage, initial pH value, and reaction temperature played an important role in the removal efficiency of Cr(VI). The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) could be increased by 37.56% by using FNZVI under optimal condition. Studies on the kinetics of Cr(VI) reacted with NZVI implied that their behaviors didn’t match the first- or pseudo-first-order kinetics due to dispersants on FNZVI or the presence of oxidation phases on the surface of BNZVI that could influence the whole reduction process by affecting the diffusion of Cr(VI) onto reactive sites. Therefore, an innovatively revised kinetics of the Cr(VI) removal by dispersant modified NZVI were provided and followed well. More importantly, Pluronic F-127 can be easily biodegraded after being released into environment with FNZVI. Given an excellent performance for removal of Cr(VI), the environmentally friendly micelles Pluronic F-127 modified NZVI represents an effective way for the remediation of Cr(VI) pollution.

Ratiometric Nanothermometer Based on Rhodamine Dye-Incorporated F127-Melamine-Formaldehyde Polymer Nanoparticle: Preparation, Characterization, Wide-Range Temperature Sensing, and Precise Intracellular Thermometry.

A series of fluorescent nanothermometers (FTs) was prepared with Rhodamine dye-incorporated Pluronic F-127-melamine-formaldehyde composite polymer nanoparticles (R-F127-MF NPs). The highly soluble Rhodamine dye molecules were bound with Pluronic F127 micelles and subsequently incorporated in the cross-linked MF resin NPs during high-temperature cross-link treatment. The morphology and chemical structure of R-F127-MF NPs were characterized with dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Fluorescence properties and thermoresponsivities were analyzed using fluorescence spectra. R-F127-MF NPs are found to be monodispersed, presenting a size range of 88-105 nm, and have bright fluorescence and high stability in severe treatments such as autoclave sterilization and lyophilization. By simultaneously incorporating Rhodamine B and Rhodamine 110 (as reference) dyes at a doping ratio of 1:400 in the NPs, ratiometric FTs with a high sensibility of 7.6%·°C(-1) and a wide temperature sensing range from -20 to 110 °C were obtained. The FTs exhibit good stability in solutions with varied pH, ionic strengths, and viscosities and have similar working curves in both intracellular and extracellular environments. Cellular temperature variations in Hela cells during microwave exposure were successfully monitored using the FTs, indicating their considerable potential applications in the biomedical field.

Highly efficient photodynamic therapy colloidal system based on chloroaluminum phthalocyanine/pluronic micelles

Phthalocyanine derivatives comprise the second generation of photosensitizer molecules employed in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and have attracted much attention due to their outstanding photosensitizing performance. Most phthalocyanines are hydrophobic compounds that require association to drug delivery systems for clinical use. In this study, formulations of Pluronic F127 micelles incorporated with chloroaluminum phthalocyanine, or else F127/AlClPc, were produced at optimized conditions aiming at efficient and biocompatible PDT colloidal systems. Absorption/emission spectroscopies, as well as dynamic light scattering were performed to evaluate the optimum conditions for the F127 micelle formation and AlClPc incorporation. The micelles formation was attained with F127 concentrations ranging from 50 to 150mgmL−1. At these conditions, AlClPc photosensitizer molecules were encapsulated into the hydrophobic micelle core and, therefore, readily solubilized in physiological medium (PBS pH 7.2).Encapsulation efficiency of about 90% resulted from different AlClPc concentrations. Identification of singlet oxygen production by irradiated F127/AlClPc formulations indicated good applicability for PDT. In vitro tests conducted with A549 human lung carcinoma cell line incubated with the F127/AlClPc formulations, at different AlClPc loadings, followed by only 18min of light irradiation (660nm LED, fluence of 25.3J/cm2), showed a cellular damage as high as 90% for rather low dosages of AlClPc (0.1–5.0μgmL−1). Further, no cytotoxicity occurred on non-irradiated cells. These findings suggest those F127/AlClPc formulations are highly promising for PDT applications, since they are easily prepared and the incubation and irradiation times are significantly shortened.

Interactions of Pluronic nanocarriers with 2D and 3D cell cultures: Effects of PEO block length and aggregation state

This work reveals how the physicochemical properties of Pluronic block copolymers influence significantly their interactions with cancer cells, whether in monolayer or spheroid cultures, and how different clinical applications can be foreseen.Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models were used to investigate the interactions of Pluronic carriers with different PEO block length and aggregation state (unimers versus cross-linked micelles) in HeLa and U87 cancer cells. Stabilized micelles of Pluronic P94 or F127 were obtained by polymerization of a crosslinking agent in the micelles hydrophobic core. Nanocarriers were functionalized with a fluorescent probe for visualization, and with a chelator for radiolabeling with Indium-111 and gamma-quantification.The 2D cell models revealed that the internalization pathways and ultimate cellular localization of the Pluronic nanocarriers depended largely on both the PEO block size and aggregation state of the copolymers. The smaller P94 unimers with an average radius of 2.1nm and the shortest PEO block mass (1100gmol−1) displayed the highest cellular uptake and retention.3D tumor spheroids were used to assess the penetration capacity and toxicity potential of the nanocarriers. Results showed that cross-linked F127 micelles were more efficiently delivered across the tumor spheroids, and the penetration depth depends mostly on the transcellular transport of the carriers. The Pluronic P94-based carriers with the shortest PEO block length induced spheroid toxicity, which was significantly influenced by the spheroid cellular type.

Palmitoyl Glycol Chitosan Micelles for Corneal Delivery of Cyclosporine.

Different substitution degrees of palmitoyl glycol chitosan (PGC), prepared according to the literature, were used to obtain polymeric micelles that have been assessed in comparison with Pluronic F127 micelles as possible carriers for poorly soluble drugs, such as cyclosporine A. Both PGC and Pluronic micelles were studied for their interactions with cell culture substrates. The least substituted and most hydrophilic derivative, PGC21 (approximately 5% substitution), showed a strong association with cyclosporine, more than tripling the colloidal concentration with respect to the saturated solution. It showed a greater ability to open Caco-2 tight junctions and to enhance the permeability of Caco-2 substrates with respect to micelles based on higher palmitoyl substitution, conceivably due to the lower modification of the chitosan chains. Permeation and penetration experiments were performed with PGC21 and Pluronic micelles on a rabbit corneal epithelial cell line (RCE) and on excised pig corneas. It was found that both PGC and Pluronic micelles could increase the permeation of the fluorescent probe rhodamine B through RCE cells by more than ten-fold. In RCE and in pig cornea, the micelles improved the penetration of both rhodamine and cyclosporine. For cyclosporine, the PGC21 micelles allowed penetration of approximately 1 μg/mg cyclosporine A in corneal tissue, demonstrating a potential for use in immunosuppression therapies.

Development of chrysin loaded poloxamer micelles and toxicity evaluation in fish embryos.

Poloxamer micelles promise safety and efficacy for many water insoluble drugs. Chrysin has been reported to have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aromatase activities but its water insoluble properties limit its pharmaceutical application. In the present study, chrysin loaded poloxamer micelles were developed. Two types of poloxamers, Pluronic F-68 and Pluronic F-127 were compared. It was found that chrysin loaded Pluronic F-68 micelles (CS-P68) and chrysin loaded Pluronic F-127 micelles (CS-P127) obviously increase the aqueous solubility of chrysin. The results also indicated that the type of polymer and ratio of drug to polymer affected size and desirable characteristics of the micelles. The micelle system of CS-P68 and CS-P127 formed at drug to polymer ratios of 1:4 and 1:2, respectively, was found to be the most suitable monodispersed system with a nanosize-range diameter. The in vivo study in zebrafish eggs indicates that the toxicity of CS-P68 and CS-P127 is a dose response. CS-P68 and CS-P127 at a drug dose of 10 ng/mL or less is safe for zebrafish embryo growth. The results of this study indicate enhanced water solubility of chrysin. Chrysin loaded poloxamer micelles are promising for further use in in vivo studies in mammalian animals and humans.

Encapsulation of MEH-PPV:PCBM Hybrids in the Cores of Block Copolymer Micellar Assemblies: Photoinduced Electron Transfer in a Nanoscale Donor-Acceptor System.

The objective of this work is to demonstrate that conjugated polymer:fullerene hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated in the hydrophobic cores of triblock copolymer micelles may successfully act as spatially confined donor-acceptor systems capable of facilitating photoinduced charge carrier separation. To this end, aqueous dispersions of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) nanoparticles were first prepared by solubilization of the polymer in the cores of poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) triblock copolymer, Pluronic F-127 micelles. A number of significant optical spectroscopic changes were observed on transfer of the conjugated polymer from a nonaqueous solvent to the aqueous micellar environment. These were primarily attributed to increased interchain interactions due to conjugated polymer chain collapse during encapsulation in the micellar cores. When prepared in buffer solution, the micelles exhibited good long-term collodial stability. When MEH-PPV micelles were blended by the addition of controlled amounts of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), the observed correspondence of photoluminescence emission quenching, quantum yield decreases, and emission lifetime shortening with increasing PCBM concentration indicated efficient photoinduced donor-to-acceptor charge transfer between MEH-PPV and the fullerenes in the cores of the micelles, an assignment that was confirmed by transient absorption spectroscopic monitoring of carrier photogeneration and recombination.

Enhanced oral bioavailability and anticancer activity of novel curcumin loaded mixed micelles in human lung cancer cells

BackgroundCurcumin has a wide range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antibacterial, wound healing, antiatherosclerotic, hepatoprotective and anti-carcinogenic. However, its clinical applications are limited owing to its poor aqueous solubility, multidrug pump P-gp efflux, extensive in vivo metabolism and rapid elimination due to glucuronidation/sulfation. PurposeThe objective of the current work was to prepare novel curcumin loaded mixed micelles (CUR-MM) of Pluronic F-127 (PF127) and Gelucire® 44/14 (GL44) in order to enhance its oral bioavailability and cytotoxicity in human lung cancer cell line A549. Study design32 Factorial design was used to assess the effect of formulation variables for optimization of mixed micelle batch. MethodsCUR-MM was prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The optimized CUR-MM was evaluated for size, entrapment efficiency (EE), in vitro curcumin release, cytotoxicity and oral bioavailability in rats. ResultsThe average size of CUR-MM was found to be around 188 ± 3 nm with an EE of about 76.45 ± 1.18% w/w. In vitro dissolution profile of CUR-MM revealed controlled release of curcumin. Additionally, CUR-MM showed significant improvement in cytotoxic activity (3-folds) and oral bioavailability (around 55-folds) of curcumin as compared to curcumin alone. Such significant improvement in cytotoxic activity and oral bioavailability of curcumin when formulated into mixed micelles could be attributed to solubilization of hydrophobic curcumin into micelle core along with P-gp inhibition effect of both, PF127 and GL44. ConclusionThus the present work propose the formulation of mixed micelles of PF127 and GL44 which can act as promising carrier systems for hydrophobic drugs such as curcumin with significant improvement in their oral bioavailability.

Novel self-assembled nano-tubular mixed micelles of Pluronics P123, Pluronic F127 and phosphatidylcholine for oral delivery of nimodipine: In vitro characterization, ex vivo transport and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a major cause of death in patients suffering from stroke. Nimodipine (NM) is the only FDA-approved drug for treating SAH-induced vasospasm. However, NM suffers from poor oral bioavailability (5–13%) due to its low aqueous solubility, extensive first pass metabolism and short elimination half-life (1–2h). The objective of this study was to develop NM-loaded Pluronic/phosphatidylcholine/polysorbate 80 mixed micelles (PPPMM) that can solubilize NM in aqueous media even after dilution, prolong its circulation time, improve its bioavailability and eventually help in targeting it to the brain tissue. PPPMM formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration technique, and evaluated for drug payload, solubilization efficiency (SE), micellar size, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ex vivo transport through rat intestine. The selected NM-loaded PPPMM, containing PC to Pluronics® molar ratio of 75:25, showed a drug payload, SE, micellar size and zeta potential of 1.06±0.03mg/mL, 99.2±2.01%, 571.5±11.87nm and −31.2±0.06mv, respectively. The selected formulation had a much larger hydrophobic core volume for solubilization of NM and exhibited the highest NM transport. TEM micrographs illustrated the formation of highly flexible nano-tubular mixed micelles (NTMM). The in vivo pharmacokinetic study showed greater bioavailability of NM in plasma (232%) and brain (208%) of rats from NM-loaded PPPMM compared to that of the drug solution due to the efficiency of flexible NTMM to enhance absorption of NM from the intestinal mucosa. The significant increase in drug solubility, enhanced drug absorption and the long circulation time of the NTMM could be promising to improve oral and parenteral delivery of NM.

Bioinspired Synthesis of Hierarchical Porous Graphitic Carbon Spheres with Outstanding High-Rate Performance in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Inspired by the biomineralization of unicellular diatoms, a biomimetic approach based on template (pluronic F127 micelle cluster)-induced self-assembly of α-cyclodextrin is developed to create hierarchical porous graphitic carbon spheres via hydrothermal treatment followed by pyrolysis. The as-obtained carbon spheres combine the features required for high-power electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), such as high degree of graphitization, large surface area with hierarchically distributed pore sizes as well as doping with heteroatoms, which synergistically contribute to their impressive electrochemical properties. When applied as an anode for LIBs, the carbon spheres exhibit high reversible capacity (ca. 700 mA h g–1 at 50 mA g–1), good cycling stability, and remarkably outstanding high-rate performance (ca. 600, 450, and 290 mA h g–1 obtained at a current density of 1, 10, and 30 A g–1, respectively), which is among the best of present pure carbon materials for LIBs applications. The fabrica...