Abstract: Mikto-arm star polymers were prepared comprising non-charged hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) arms and hydrophobic arms comprising a poly(propylene oxide) chain or phytol group. The polymer arms are covalently linked to a hydrophobic crosslinked polyester core formed by ring opening polymerization of a bis-cyclic ester initiated by mono-nucleophilic polymer arm precursors. The mikto-arm star polymers show improved loading capacity for Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

Abstract: Star polymer occlusion complexes were prepared comprising i) an amphiphilic unimolecular star polymer having a crosslinked core covalently linked to 6 or more independent amphiphilic polymer arms, ii) a nutraceutical (such as coenzyme Q10), and iii) a cholesterol-lowering drug (such as simvastatin). An initial occlusion complex formed with the nutraceutical and the star polymer exhibited improved binding properties for the cholesterol-lowering drug, resulting in improved loading efficiencies for the cholesterol-lowering drug. The star polymer occlusion complexes have utility in the medical treatment of high blood cholesterol.