Near-infrared (NIR) light possesses great advantages for light-responsive controlled drug release, such as deep tissue penetration and a less detrimental effect on healthy tissues. In this paper, we report a facile and efficient preparation of a NIR-triggered micelle system for a drug vehicle. The system consists of NIR-sensitive indocyanine green (ICG) and anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) which are simultaneously encapsulated in core-cross-linked (CCL) micelles formed by the Diels–Alder click reaction between poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(furfuryl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PFMA) and a novel diselenide-containing bismaleimide cross-linker. Under NIR (808 nm) irradiation, ICG generates reactive oxygen species which can cleave diselenide bonds in the core of CCL micelles. This response to NIR irradiation allows the rapid release of DOX from the de-cross-linked micelles, leading to significantly enhanced apoptosis in HepG2 cells as evidenced by a cytotoxicity test and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Gum rosin and its derivatives have been used traditionally in coatings and adhesives and are now increasingly applied in diverse medical and pharmaceutical fields. Owing to its film-forming ability, hydrophobic nature, biocompatibility, and ease of chemical modification, gum rosin has emerged as a promising excipient for controlled drug release, targeted drug delivery, and other biomedical applications. This review summarizes the evolution of gum rosin applications, from its conventional roles to its modern utilization in nanocarriers, transdermal systems, and other advanced drug delivery platforms. In addition, we discuss the challenges related to allergenicity, brittleness, and excessive hydrophobicity and propose strategies (such as chemical modification and polymer blending) to overcome these issues. This review provides a reference framework for researchers developing new rosin-based materials in pharmaceutical sciences.

A well-defined amphiphilic block copolymer, poly (ethylene oxide)-b-(poly (furfuryl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PFMA) was prepared by single electron transfer living radical polymerization using tris(dimethylamino)ethyl amine (Me6TREN) as a ligand. The block copolymer formed sub-100 nm micelles in water with PEO as a shell and PFMA as a core. Diels–Alder click type reaction was employed to form core-crosslinked micelles using a diselenide-containing crosslinker without any catalyst. The block copolymer and micelles were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The stability of core-crosslinked micelles under reductive-oxidative condition was also investigated. The diselenide crosslinked micelles displayed good stability against extensive dilution but decomposed under the presence of hydrogen peroxide or glutathione. The redox responsive core-crosslinked micelles can be a promising carrier for drug delivery applications.