Conjugation of amino-containing drugs to polysaccharides by tosylation: amphotericin B–arabinogalactan conjugates

Recent advances in pH/enzyme-responsive polysaccharide-small-molecule drug conjugates as nanotherapeutics

Now-a-days, the polysaccharides are extensively employed for the delivery of small-molecule drugs ascribed to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and modifiability. An array of drug molecules is often chemically conjugated with different polysaccharides to augment their bio-performances. As compared to their therapeutic precursors, these conjugates could typically demonstrate an improved intrinsic solubility, stability, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs. In current years, various stimuli-responsive particularly pH and enzyme-sensitive linkers or pendants are also exploited to integrate the drug molecules into the polysaccharide backbone. The resulting conjugates could experience a rapid molecular conformational change upon exposure to the microenvironmental pH and enzyme changes of the diseased states, triggering the release of the bioactive cargos at the targeted sites and eventually minimize the systemic side effects. Herein, the recent advances in pH and enzyme -responsive polysaccharide-drug conjugates and their therapeutic benefits are systematically reviewed, following a brief description on the conjugation chemistry of the polysaccharides and drug molecules. The challenges and future perspectives of these conjugates are also precisely discussed.

Hyaluronic acid-Amphotericin B Nanocomplexes: a Promising Anti-Leishmanial Drug Delivery System

The development of an effective amphotericin B (AmB) formulation to replace actual treatments available for leishmaniasis, which present serious drawbacks, is a challenge. Here we report the development of hyaluronic...

Caspofungin Functionalized Polymethacrylates with Antifungal Properties

We describe the synthesis of hydrophilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PmPEGMA) and hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) caspofungin conjugates by a post-polymerization modification of copolymers containing 10 mol % pentafluorophenyl methacrylate (PFPMA), which were obtained via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer copolymerization. The coupling of the clinically used antifungal caspofungin was confirmed and quantified in detail by a combination of ¹H-, ¹⁹F- and diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and size exclusion chromatography. The trifunctional amine-containing antifungal was attached via several amide bonds to the hydrophobic PMMA, but sterical hindrance induced by the mPEGMA side chains prohibited intramolecular double functionalization. Both polymer-drug conjugates revealed activity against important human-pathogenic fungi, that is, two strains of Aspergillus fumigatus and one strain of Candida albicans (2.5 mg L^-1 < MEC < 8 mg L^-1, MIC₅₀ = 4 mg L^-1), whereas RAW 264.7 macrophages as well as HeLa cells remained unaffected at these concentrations.

Development of dextrin-amphotericin B formulations for the treatment of Leishmaniasis

The most effective medicines available for the treatment of leishmaniasis, a life-threatening disease, exhibit serious toxicological issues. To achieve better therapeutic efficiency while decreasing toxicity associated with amphotericin B (AmB), water-soluble dextrin-AmB (Dex-AmB) formulations were developed. Self-assembled nanocomplexes were formed by dissolving Dex and AmB in alkaline borate buffer, followed by dialysis and either freeze-drying (FD) or nano spray-drying (SD), yielding water dispersible particles with a diameter of 214 nm and 347 nm, respectively. The very simple production process allowed the formation of amorphous inclusion complexes containing 14% of AmB in the form of monomers and water-soluble aggregates. Nanocomplexes were effective against parasites in axenic culture (IC₅₀ of 0.056 and 0.096 μM for L. amazonensis and 0.030 and 0.044 μM for L. infantum, respectively for Dex-AmB FD and Dex-AmB SD) and in decreasing the intramacrophagic infection with L. infantum (IC₅₀ of 0.017 and 0.023 μM, respectively for Dex-AmB FD and Dex-AmB SD). Also, the formulations were able to significantly reduce the cytotoxicity of AmB. Overall, this study demonstrates the suitability of dextrin as an AmB carrier and the facile and inexpensive development of a delivery system for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Doxorubicin-Loaded Delta Inulin Conjugates for Controlled and Targeted Drug Delivery: Development, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation

Delta inulin, also known as microparticulate inulin (MPI), was modified by covalently attaching doxorubicin to its nanostructured surface for use as a targeted drug delivery vehicle. MPI is readily endocytosed by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells and in this study, we sought to utilize this property to develop a system to target anti-cancer drugs to lymphoid organs. We investigated, therefore, whether MPI could be used as a vehicle to deliver doxorubicin selectively, thereby reducing the toxicity of this antibiotic anthracycline drug. Doxorubicin was covalently attached to the surface of MPI using an acid–labile linkage to enable pH-controlled release. The MPI-doxorubicin conjugate was characterized using FTIR and SEM, confirming covalent attachment and indicating doxorubicin coupling had no obvious impact on the physical nanostructure, integrity, and cellular uptake of the MPI particles. To simulate the stability of the MPI-doxorubicin in vivo, it was stored in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF, pH 4.5). Although the MPI-doxorubicin particles were still visible after 165 days in ALF, 53% of glycosidic bonds in the inulin particles were hydrolyzed within 12 days in ALF, reflected by the release of free glucose into solution. By contrast, the fructosidic bonds were much more stable. Drug release studies of the MPI-doxorubicin in vitro, demonstrated a successful pH-dependent controlled release effect. Confocal laser scanning microscopy studies and flow cytometric analysis confirmed that when incubated with live cells, MPI-doxorubicin was efficiently internalized by immune cells. An assay of cell metabolic activity demonstrated that the MPI carrier alone had no toxic effects on RAW 264.7 murine monocyte/macrophage-like cells, but exhibited anti-cancer effects against HCT116 human colon cancer cells. MPI-doxorubicin had a greater anti-cancer cell effect than free doxorubicin, particularly when at lower concentrations, suggesting a drug-sparing effect. This study establishes that MPI can be successfully modified with doxorubicin for chemotherapeutic drug delivery.

Polymer–Drug Conjugates for Treating Local and Systemic Fungal Infections

In immunocompromised patients, fungal infections are the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Currently, three major classes of drugs—polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins—with different mechanisms of action are used as antifungals for systemic infections. However, these conventional drugs were reported to induce toxic effects due to their low specificity, narrow spectrum of activity and drug–drug interactions. Some of these limitations could be overcome by altering the properties of existing drugs through physical and chemical modifications. For example, modification of amphotericin B (AmB), a polyene antibiotic includes the micellar suspension of AmB in deoxycholic acid (Fungizone®), non-covalent AmB lipid complexes (ABLC™), liposomal AmB (AmBisome®), and AmB colloidal dispersion (Amphocil™). All these formulations ensure the smoother release of AmB accompanied by its restricted distribution in the kidney, thereby lowering its nephrotoxicity. Although various methods such as polymeric micelles, nanoparticles and dendrimers were explored for enhancing the efficacy of the antifungal drugs, polymer–drug conjugates of antifungal drugs have received more attention in recent years. Polymer–drug conjugates improve the aqueous solubility of water-insoluble drugs, are stable in storage and reduce the toxicity of highly toxic drugs and are capable of releasing the drug at the site of action. This chapter discusses the polymer conjugates of antifungal drugs, their merits, and demerits. Studies reported so far show that the polymer–drug conjugates have significant advantages compared to conventional dosage forms for antifungal therapy.

Dual-Functional Polyethylene Glycol-b-polyhexanide Surface Coating with in Vitro and in Vivo Antimicrobial and Antifouling Activities

In recent years, microbial colonization on the surface of biomedical implants/devices has become a severe threat to human health. Herein, surface-immobilized guanidine derivative block copolymers create an antimicrobial and antifouling dual-functional coating. We report the preparation of an antimicrobial and antifouling block copolymer by the conjugation of polyhexanide (PHMB) with either allyl glycidyl ether or allyloxy polyethylene glycol (APEG; MW 1200 and 2400). The allyl glycidyl ether modified PHMB (A-PHMB) and allyloxy polyethylene glycol_1200/2400 modified PHMB (APEG_1200/2400-PHMB) copolymers were grafted onto a silicone rubber surface as a bottlebrush-like coating, respectively, using a plasma-UV-assisted surface-initiated polymerization. Both A-PHMB and APEG_1200/2400-PHMB coatings exhibited excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against Gram-negative/positive bacteria and fungi. The APEG₂₄₀₀-PHMB coating displayed an improved antibiofilm as well as antifouling properties and a long reusable cycle, compared with two other coatings, due to its abundant PEG blocks among those copolymers. Also, the APEG₂₄₀₀-PHMB-coated silicone coupons were biocompatible toward mammalian cells, as revealed by in vitro hemocompatibile and cytotoxic assays. An in vivo study showed a significant decline of Escherichia coli colonies with a 5-log reduction, indicating the APEG₂₄₀₀-PHMB coating surface worked effectively in the rodent subcutaneous infection model. This PHMB-based block copolymer coating is believed to be an effective strategy to prevent biomaterial-associated infections.

Cellulose carbonates: a platform for promising biopolymer derivatives with multifunctional capabilities

Cellulose carbonates as a platform compound open new possibilities for the design of advanced materials based on the most important renewable resource cellulose. In the present feature, the chemistry of cellulose carbonates is discussed considering own research results adequately. After a short overview about methods for activation of polysaccharides for a conversion with nucleophilic compounds in particular with amines, details about various methods for the synthesis of polysaccharide carbonates are discussed. The main issue of the feature is the synthesis and aminolysis of cellulose carbonates with low, intermediate, and high degree of substitution and the evaluation of this chemistry with respect to specific challenges. Functional cellulose carbamates, obtained from cellulose phenyl carbonate by aminolysis, show the potential use of this class of celluloses. Immunoassays and zwitterionic polymers are included as representative examples regarding properties and application of the new cellulose-based products.

Development of zwitterionic polymer-based doxorubicin conjugates: tuning the surface charge to prolong the circulation and reduce toxicity

Polymer-drug conjugates are commonly used as nano drug vehicles (NDVs) to delivery anticancer drugs. Zwitterionic polymers are ideal candidates to conjugate drugs because they show higher resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption in complex media than that of nonionic water-soluble polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol). However, the charge balance characteristics of zwitterionic polymers used as NDVs will be broken from the inclusion of additional charged groups brought by conjugated drugs or functional groups, leading to the loss of resistance to protein adsorption. Consequently, the nonspecific protein adsorption on drug carriers will cause fast clearance from the blood system, an immune response, or even severe systemic toxicity. To overcome this drawback, a model zwitterionic polymer, poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (pCBMA), was modified by the introduction of a negatively charged component, to neutralize the positive charge provided by the model drug, doxorubicin (DOX). A DOX-conjugated NDV which possesses excellent resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption was achieved by the formation of a strongly hydrated pCBMA shell with a slightly negative surface charge. This kind of DOX-conjugated NDV exhibited reduced cytotoxicity and prolonged circulation time, and it accelerated DOX release under mild acid conditions. In tumor-bearing mouse studies a 55% tumor-inhibition rate was achieved without causing any body weight loss. These results indicate the importance of charge tuning in zwitterionic polymer-based NDVs.

N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide-amphotericin B (HPMA-AmB) copolymer conjugates as antileishmanial agents

Leishmaniasis is a major health problem in many parts of the world, caused by various species of Leishmania. Amastigotes are the clinically relevant form of the parasite in the human host and reside in the parasitophorous vacuole within macrophages. Polymer-drug conjugates have been used for lysosomotropic drug delivery and have already shown potential in anticancer and antileishmanial chemotherapy. We synthesised N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide-amphotericin B (HPMA-AmB) copolymer conjugates in which the AmB was attached to the polymer through a degradable GlyPheLeuGly linker. Antileishmanial activity was assessed in vitro against intracellular amastigotes in host macrophages [murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEMs), murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and differentiated THP-1 cells]. The most potent copolymers had 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) values of 0.03 microg/mL AmB equivalent against Leishmania donovani amastigotes in PEMs and BMMs and an EC(50) of 0.57 microg/mL AmB equivalent against L. donovani in THP-1 cells. This activity was comparable with free AmB (EC(50)=0.03-0.07 microg/mL against L. donovani in PEMs and BMMs and 0.24-0.42 microg/mL against amastigotes in THP-1 cells) and Fungizone (EC(50)=0.04-0.07 microg/mL against amastigotes in PEMs). Conjugates also showed potent in vivo activity with ca. 50% inhibition of parasite burden at 1mg/kg body weight.

Synthesis and characterisation of a new pH-sensitive amphotericin B--poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lysine) conjugate

This paper reports on the synthesis, characterisation, and efficiency of a new intravenous conjugate of amphotericin B (AMB). Twelve molecules of AMB were attached to block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lysine) via pH-sensitive imine linkages. In vitro drug release studies demonstrated the conjugate (M(w)=26,700) to be relatively stable in human plasma and in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C). Controlled release of AMB was observed in acidic phosphate buffer (pH 5.5, 37 degrees C) with the half-life of 2 min. The LD(50) value determined in vivo (mouse) is 45 mg/kg.

Impact of aldehyde content on amphotericin B-dextran imine conjugate toxicity

The biocompatibility of oxidized dextran (40 kDa) was investigated in vitro. The contribution of aldehyde groups to the toxicity of polymer-drug conjugates, such as dextran-amphotericin B (AmB) was evaluated. Oxidized dextran was proved to be toxic against the RAW 264.7 cell line with an IC50 of 3 micromol/mL aldehydes. Modification of aldehyde groups and their reaction with ethanolamine reduced the toxicity at least 15-fold. Accordingly, the antifungal and antileishmanial dextran-AmB imine conjugate, which contains unreacted aldehyde groups, was modified with ethanolamine and compared to dextran-AmB amine and imine conjugates. Modification of the imine conjugate with ethanolamine reduced its toxicity toward the RAW cell line by 100%. The effect on Leishmania major parasites was 5 times higher than that of the dextran-AmB amine conjugate. The dextran-AmB-ethanolamine conjugate was at least 15 times less hemolytic than free AmB. Stability and drug release profiles in buffer solution were investigated. The imine conjugates released free AmB while the amine conjugate did not. It is concluded that aldehyde groups may contribute to cell toxicity. This toxicity is reduced by converting the aldehyde groups into imine conjugates with ethanolamine. The results have direct implications toward the safety of AmB-polysaccharide conjugates used against fungal and leishmanial infections.

Production and characterization of stable amphotericin-resistant amastigotes and promastigotes of Leishmania mexicana

The sensitivities of Leishmania mexicana amastigote and promastigote forms to amphotericin B were investigated in vitro and found to be strongly influenced by the culture media used. When differences in culture media were minimized, there was no significant difference in the 50% inhibitory concentration values between the two life cycle stages. Stable amphotericin B-resistant amastigote and promastigote lines were produced by the application of increasing drug pressure to long-term cultures. Lines capable of growth in concentrations of amphotericin B lethal to normal parasites were produced. Compared to normal parasites, these amphotericin-resistant lines showed marked differences in membrane sterol compositions, with very high levels of 4,14,dimethyl-cholesta-8,24-dienol and other methyl sterols. They also showed a consistent morphological feature, the presence of multilamellar membrane-like material in the flagellar pocket, revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Amphotericin-resistant parasites were capable of infecting BALB/c mice, but the resulting lesion growth was slower than that after infection with normal parasites. However, unlike normal parasites, the amphotericin-resistant parasites were unaffected by experimental chemotherapy with amphotericin B. These results show that amphotericin B resistance could arise as a result of increased clinical use of amphotericin B therapy.