Hydroxy-Terminated Poly(Amidoamine) Dendrimers as Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Antioxidants

Authors: Ji’an Bi, Yan Chao Li, Qian Fen Zhuang, Zhen Hua Leng, Hong Ying Jia, Yang Liu, Jian Wei Zhou, Li Bo Du

Abstract: The clinical application of antioxidants as pharmaceutical agents has been limited in general because of their poor aqueous solubility and inferior stability. According to previous studies, nanocarrier drug delivery systems may provide an alternative way to solve the above problems. In this study, nanoparticle carriers consisting of 6-hydroxy-2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) encapsulating hydroxy-terminated poly (amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM-OH) were prepared by a self-assembly method and characterized by size, size distribution and morphology. A drug release assay showed that the Trolox release from PAMAM-OH/Trolox exhibits pH dependence. Moreover, the effects of PAMAM-OH/Trolox on cells damaged by tert-butylhydroperoxide were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthizaol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay for cell viability, and malonaldehyde assay for membrane lipid peroxidation. The results illustrated that the PAMAM-OH/Trolox can significantly improve cell viability and reduce MDA content compared with those of cells pretreated with free Trolox.

Direct link: http://www.scientific.net/JNanoR.23.66