Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Pharmaceutical Science
Department
Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
First Advisor
Seongbong Jo
Second Advisor
Eman Ashour
Third Advisor
Michael A. Repka
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Melanoma and non-melanoma (basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma) skin cancer (NMSC) have been recognized as an epidemic as they happen to be the most comtype of cancers in the white population. Cancer cell targeting i.e. differentiating cancer cells from normal cells has been an area of active research to reduce the side effects of cancer chemotherapy. For this research project, we have developed a novel light sensitive Methylene Blue (MB)-Polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugate with significant surfactant properties. The aim of this study was to synthesize a smart light sensitive polymer which activates and releases the encapsulated drug on exposure to Near Infrared radiation (NIR). This activation of the drug delivery systems on exposure to external stimuli can find applications in targeted therapy and diagnosis of NMSC. The synthesis of this novel conjugate is a six-step process conducted in a controlled environment with established protocols. The synthesized intermediates and final products were subjected to NMR characterizations and presumed structures were confirmed with the same. The final structure was confirmed with 1H-NMR and FT-IR characterizations. After synthesizing the conjugate, we subjected it to NIR radiation to evaluate its light sensitivity. We determined the surface activity and critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the conjugate using tensiometry. The micelle forming capability of the conjugate was used to encapsulate a model chemotherapeutic agent i.e. Paclitaxel. The micelles were characterized based on their loading efficiency, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release studies which were in agreement with the expectations.
Recommended Citation
Pillai, Amit Raviraj, "Synthesis of a Novel Surface Active, Light Sensitive Polymer for Encapsulation and Delivery of Paclitaxel" (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1675.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/1675