SUPRAMOLECULAR BIOMATERIALS BASED ON CYCLODEXTRIN-OLIGOETHYLENIMINE STAR POLYMERS FOR DRUG AND GENE DELIVERY

Abstract

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are a series of natural cyclic oligosaccharides. The hydrophobic cavities of CD can form inclusion complexes with many hydrophobic drugs to alter their physical, chemical, and biological properties. In this work, we firstly synthesized CD derivatives by conjugation with short-chain oligoethylenimine arms that can form inclusion complexes with anticancer drug paclitaxel and significantly improve its physiochemical properties, such as solubility. Secondly, we demonstrated synthesis of a new star-shaped cationic polymer containing a CD core and multiple oligoethylenimine arms. Folic acid was conjugated to the cationic molecules for effective target delivery and a biodegradable disulfide bond was incorporated between the cationic polymer and target group. Finally, we investigated the synergistic/combined effect by co-delivery of drug and gene to fabricate more effective gene delivery systems.