Efficient Wormlike Micelles for the Controlled Delivery of Anticancer Drugs

Abstract

Background: In order to improve the solubility and carrying capacity of anticancer drugs to the targeted cells, a potential nanoformulation is needed. Objective: Viscoelastic wormlike micelles (WLM) have been reported in the present study. Methods: The elongated and flexible aggregates of amphiphiles were formed due to the selforganization when the amphiphile concentration was fixed at its CMC and the sodium salicylate concentration was varied for the optimization. Results: The stable structure, higher density, higher viscosity and potent cell killing effect at lower concentration of the drug was observed at 480 μM concentration of sodium salicylate. The doxorubicin release profile showed a clear sustained release after 20 h, and 82% of the drug has been released after 72 h. Conclusion: Therefore, the designed WLMs can be used as efficient drug delivery vehicles for the treatment of cancer.