| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydrophobized hyaluronic acid (formula I) and further a method for encapsulating a biologically active substance in nano micelles of hydrophobized hyaluronan which acts as a carrier for the biologically active hydrophobic substance. About. Hyaluronan is hydrophobized through esterification of hyaluronan with long-chain carboxylic acids, which are activated by halide derivatives of 2,4,6-trichlorobenzoic acid or other organic chlorides. The In an aqueous environment, water-soluble and hydrophobized derivatives can form nanomicelles, in which nonpolar substances can be bound by noncovalent physical interactions. Nanomicelle cores are formed by hydrophobic acyl functional groups, while nanomicelle shells are formed by hyaluronic acid. Encapsulation of substances in nanomicelles can be performed by solvent exchange or sonication. Hyaluronic acid nano micelles promote the penetration of the bound substance into the local application site and allow the bound substance to migrate to individual cells. Nano micelles obtained from hydrophobized hyaluronan derivatives are useful for cosmetic and medical applications. |