Carbosilane Glycodendrimers for Anticancer Drug Delivery: Synthetic Route, Characterization, and Biological Effect of Glycodendrimer-Doxorubicin Complexes

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Jan 10;23(1):276-290. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01264. Epub 2021 Dec 20.

Abstract

The complexity of drug delivery mechanisms calls for the development of new transport system designs. Here, we report a robust synthetic procedure toward stable glycodendrimer (glyco-DDM) series bearing glucose, galactose, and oligo(ethylene glycol)-modified galactose peripheral units. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed exceptional biocompatibility of the glyco-DDMs. To demonstrate applicability in drug delivery, the anticancer agent doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated in the glyco-DDM structure. The anticancer activity of the resulting glyco-DDM/DOX complexes was evaluated on the noncancerous (BJ) and cancerous (MCF-7 and A2780) cell lines, revealing their promising generation- and concentration-dependent effect. The glyco-DDM/DOX complexes show gradual and pH-dependent DOX release profiles. Fluorescence spectra elucidated the encapsulation process. Confocal fluorescence microscopy demonstrated preferential cancer cell internalization of the glyco-DDM/DOX complexes. The conclusions were supported by computer modeling. Overall, our results are consistent with the assumption that novel glyco-DDMs and their drug complexes are very promising in drug delivery and related applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Drug Liberation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Silanes

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Silanes
  • carbosilane
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin