OBJECTIVE To prepare carvacrol (CAR) mixed micelles with temperature-responsive characteristics, optimize the preparation process, and evaluate their properties. METHODS CAR mixed micelles were prepared using the thin-film dispersion method with vitamin E polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) as carrier materials. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-variation coefficient method was employed to assign weights to individual indicators, yielding an overall desirability (OD) score as an evaluation parameter. This score was combined with the response surface method (RSM) to optimize the CAR mixed micelles preparation process, followed by characterization of their physicochemical properties. RESULTS The optimal conditions for preparing CAR mixed micelles were determined as follows: the mass ratio of TPGS to PNIPAM was 9∶1, the amount of carrier was 11 mg, the hydration medium was ultrapure water, the hydration temperature was 50 ℃, the hydration volume was 9.48 mL, and the hydration time was 1 hour. Validation testing showed that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CAR mixed micelles was 0.025 mg·mL-1, the encapsulation efficiency was (86.36±2.29)%, the drug loading was (5.54±0.53)%, the particle size was (19.83±1.69) nm, the polydispersity index (PDI) was (0.242±0.080), and the Zeta potential was (-0.105±0.046) mV. The calculated OD value was (87.72±1.03)%, closely approximating the predicted value (86.92%), indicating reliable prediction. The CAR mixed micelles exhibited a spherical shape, uniform distribution without aggregation, and demonstrated good stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed the CAR's presence within the mixed micelles. Temperature sensitivity tests revealed that the CAR mixed micelles had a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 37.64 ℃, indicating their temperature-responsive properties. CONCLUSION The optimized CAR mixed micelles exhibit excellent stability and temperature sensitivity, providing a solid experimental foundation and reference for future formulation research.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |