Non-ionic self-assembling amphiphilic polyester dendrimers as new drug delivery excipients

Abstract

Solubility enhancement of poorly soluble antibiotics via self-assembling nano systems could be a promising approach to effectively treat bacterial infections in the current scenario of evolving resistant species. The study in this paper reports the synthesis of novel biocompatible G2 and G3 polyester amphiphilic dendrimers (ADs) (GMOA-G2-OH, GMOA-G3-OH, GMS-G2-OH and GMS-G3-OH) and their application as: (i) solubility enhancers for fusidic acid (FSD) as a model antibiotic with poor aqueous solubility and (ii) as stearic stabilizers in the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). Two different series of ADs from glycerol monostearate (GMS) and glycerol monooleate (GMOA) were synthesized and their structures were confirmed employing FT-IR, NMR (1H and 13C) and HR-MS. The MTT assay confirmed their non-toxicity to mammalian cells. The critical aggregation concentration value order for ADs was GMS-G3-OH (5 × 10−6 mol l−1) < GMOA-G3-OH (7 × 10−6 mol l−1)