European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MICELLAR NANOTECHNOLOGY: POLYMERIC MICELLES FOR ENHANCED DRUG DELIVERY

Londhe Punam D.*, Dr. Ajay Fugate, Akshay Sadule, Swati Jadhav and Vijay Shinde

ABSTRACT

Polymeric micelles have emerged as a versatile and effective platform for drug delivery, particularly in the treatment of cancer and other diseases requiring targeted therapeutic interventions. These nanocarriers are formed by the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solutions, resulting in a core-shell structure. The hydrophobic core acts as a reservoir for poorly water-soluble drugs, while the hydrophilic shell provides stability in the biological environment and prevents premature clearance from the bloodstream. This dual functionality enhances the bioavailability of encapsulated drugs, improves their solubility, and reduces systemic side effects by enabling controlled and site-specific drug release. Polymeric micelles can also be engineered for stimuli-responsive drug release, triggered by changes in pH, temperature, or enzymatic activity, making them suitable for precision medicine. Furthermore, surface modifications of micelles, such as the attachment of targeting ligands, improve their selectivity toward specific cells or tissues, such as tumor sites, enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Despite the promising preclinical results, challenges remain in clinical translation, including stability issues, large-scale production, and the need for thorough understanding of in vivo interactions. This review explores the latest advancements in polymeric micelle design, drug loading mechanisms, stimuli-responsive systems, addressing the barriers that need to be overcome for successful clinical implementation. Along with their uses in oral, parenteral, transdermal, intranasal, and other drug delivery systems, PMs varieties, preparation techniques, and characterisation are described.

Keywords: Polymeric micelles, Drug delivery system, Amphiphilic block copolymer, hydrophobic drugs, Targeted drug delivery, Solubility Enhancement.