title: Novel functionalized biodegradable polymers for nanoparticle drug delivery systems.
abstract: We have prepared and screened a library of novel functionalized polymers for development of nanoparticle drug delivery systems. The polymer backbone consisting of two ester-linked, nontoxic, biological monomers, glycerol and adipic acid, was prepared using a hydrolytic enzyme. The specificity of the chosen enzyme yields a linear polymer with one free pendant hydroxyl group per repeat unit, which can be further functionalized. This protocol gives control over the backbone polymer molecular weight, together with the ability to incorporate various amounts of different fatty acyl substituents. These functionalized polymers are able to self-assemble into well-defined small particles of high homogeneity with a very low toxicity. They are able to incorporate a water soluble drug, dexamethasone phosphate, with a high efficiency and drug loading which varies with the polymer specification. The above characteristics strongly suggest that these polymers could be developed into useful nanoparticulate drug delivery systems.
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD United Kingdom.
authors: Paraskevi
authors: P
authors: Kallinteri
authors: Sean
authors: S
authors: Higgins
authors: Gillian A
authors: GA
authors: Hutcheon
authors: Christopher B
authors: CB
authors: St Pourçain
authors: Martin C
authors: MC
authors: Garnett
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002175:Candida / Q000201:enzymology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000737:chemistry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D036103:Nanotechnology
chemical_list: D004800:Enzymes, Immobilized; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C093667:Novozyme 435; D008049:Lipase