Covalent Conjugation of Amphotericin B to Hyaluronic Acid: An Injectable Water-Soluble Conjugate with Reduced Toxicity and Anti-Leishmanial Potential

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Mar 14;23(3):1169-1182. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01451. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

Abstract

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a highly hydrophobic drug with significant leishmanicidal activity whose use is limited by its poor water solubility and adverse effects. Polymer-drug conjugates are proposed as a delivery system designed to overcome those limitations while improving drug bioavailability, safety, and activity. Here, AmB was covalently linked to periodate-oxidized hyaluronic acid (HA) (oxidation degree of 30.1 ± 5.6%) via a Schiff base (HA-AmB imine). The conjugate presents high water solubility and self-assembles into particles with a mean size of 88.2 ± 17.6 nm, a negative charge (-28.3 ± 0.9 mV), and a drug content of 17.8 ± 1.4%. Spectroscopic studies revealed the presence of AmB in aggregate and super-aggregated forms in the conjugate, which could explain the significant reduction of the in vitro cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity. The formulation showed not only in vitro anti-leishmanial activity against L. infantum-infected macrophages (IC50 = 0.023 μM) but also against an in vivo infected mouse model, promoting a 1.32- and a 4.98-log10 suppression of the L. infantum burden in the spleens and liver, respectively, without toxic effects. In summary, this study describes the safe and effective use of water-soluble HA-AmB imine conjugates for leishmaniasis treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B* / chemistry
  • Amphotericin B* / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / chemistry
  • Hyaluronic Acid*
  • Imines
  • Mice
  • Water

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Imines
  • Water
  • Amphotericin B
  • Hyaluronic Acid