PEG-b-PCL Micelles as Nanocarriers for Poorly Soluble Benzimidazoles: A Comparative Study of Albendazole and Fenbendazole.

Rayna Bryaskova, Gergana Krumova, Kameliya Anichina, Damyan Ganchev, Teodor Todorov, Rumiana Tzoneva

Abstract readComparative Study

In one paragraph

Article in Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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2 · The registry

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Rayna BryaskovaDepartment of Polymer Engineering, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Str., 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria.ORCID 0000-0002-2096-7257

Gergana KrumovaDepartment of Polymer Engineering, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Str., 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Kameliya AnichinaDepartment of Organic Synthesis, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, 8 Kliment Ohridsky Str., 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria.ORCID 0000-0001-5236-0567

Damyan GanchevDepartment of Machine Elements and Non-Metal Constructions, Technical University of Sofia, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Teodor TodorovInstitute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.ORCID 0009-0007-3526-9375

Rumiana TzonevaInstitute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.ORCID 0000-0001-6659-2588

Funding

European Union-NextGenerationEU BG-RRP-2.004-0002

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) copolymer micelles have emerged as promising drug delivery systems for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble benzimidazole drugs. In this study, we prepared and characterized PEG-b-PCL micelles to encapsulate poorly water-soluble anthelmintics such as albendazole (ABZ) and fenbendazole (FBZ), with a focus on comparing their encapsulation behaviour, release profiles, and biological activity in cancer therapy. Drug-loaded micelles were analysed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), which revealed uniform nanosized micelles with a narrow polydispersity index (PDI). The morphology and size of both empty and drug-loaded micelles were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirming that the micelles were spherical and consistent in size. Both drugs were efficiently encapsulated within the micellar core, demonstrating a high loading capacity. The release profiles of PEG-b-PCL micelles containing albendazole (ABZ) and fenbendazole (FBZ) at pH 7.4 were also evaluated. FBZ exhibited slower release kinetics compared to ABZ, likely due to its higher lipophilicity and stronger interactions with the hydrophobic PCL core, resulting in enhanced retention within the micelles. In contrast, ABZ had faster release kinetics. Finally, the in vitro MTT assays performed on the highly invasive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line revealed the potential of these micelles as effective drug delivery systems.

Indexed as

AlbendazoleBenzimidazolesDrug CarriersFenbendazoleMicellesNanoparticlesPolyestersPolyethylene GlycolsAnthelminticsCell Line, TumorDrug LiberationHumansLactonesParticle SizeSolubilityAlbendazoleAnthelminticsBenzimidazolesDrug CarriersFenbendazoleLactonesMicellesPolyesterspoly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)Polyethylene Glycolsalbendazoleanticancer activitydrug delivery systemfenbendazoleMDA-MB-231 cellsPEG-b-PCL micelles

Identifiers

PMID42357468

DOI10.3390/molecules31122070

PMCPMC13304855

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LicenceCC BY

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.