title: Novel functional hyperbranched polyether polyols as prospective drug delivery systems.
abstract: Multifunctional hyperbranched polyether polyols bearing protective poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains with or without the folate targeting ligand at their end have been prepared. Solubilization in these polymers of a fluorescent probe, pyrene, and an anticancer drug, tamoxifen, was physicochemically investigated. It was found that PEG chains attached at the surface of these hyperbranched polymers, in addition to their well-established protective role, enhance the encapsulation efficiency of the polymers. The release of pyrene and tamoxifen observed upon addition of sodium chloride is, in most of the cases, significant only at concentrations exceeding the physiological extracellular concentration. Thus, a significant amount of the probe or drug remains solubilized inside the carriers, which is an encouraging result if the polymers are to be used for drug delivery.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry, NCSR "Demokritos", 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Attiki, Greece.
authors.forename: Leto-Aikaterini
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tziveleka
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kontoyianni
authors.forename: Zili
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sideratou
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsiourvas
authors.forename: Constantinos M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Paleos
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D015335:Molecular Probes; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011721:Pyrenes; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015335:Molecular Probes; D011108:Polymers; D011721:Pyrenes; D013629:Tamoxifen; C030984:pyrene