Development and Characterization of Polymer-stabilized Dobutamine Nanomicelles for Improved Drug Delivery.

Dobutamine (Dobu) is a widely utilized therapeutic agent for heart failure with emerging potential in oncology. However, its clinical application is constrained by rapid release, short half-life and associated toxicity. This study introduces a dual-polymer nanomicelle system employing Pluronic F127 and lignin to encapsulate Dobu, aiming to enhance its release profile, minimize cytotoxicity and improve therapeutic efficacy. Nanomicelles were synthesized using an oil-in-water emulsion method, achieving encapsulation efficiencies of 99% for F127 and 80% for lignin, along with a controlled drug release profile. This novel dual-polymer nanomicelle system achieves high encapsulation efficiency (99% for F127 versus 80% for lignin) and controlled release, significantly reducing the burst release observed with free Dobutamine. Release studies demonstrated that F127 and lignin nanomicelles significantly reduced burst release compared to free Dobu, extending release durations up to 7 h. Cytotoxicity assays using NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells revealed increased cell viability for encapsulated Dobu, with F127 nanomicelles showing superior biocompatibility. Additionally, in vitro antibacterial evaluations confirmed that the nanomicelles did not inhibit microbial growth, highlighting their suitability for sterile applications. These findings suggest that F127 and lignin-based nanomicelles provide a promising platform for safer, controlled Dobu delivery in cardiovascular and oncological therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]