Synthesis and characterization of carboxylic acid conjugated, hydrophobically derivatized, hyperbranched polyglycerols as nanoparticulate drug carriers for cisplatin.

Hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) with hydrophobic cores and derivatized with methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) were synthesized and further functionalized with carboxylate groups to bind and deliver cisplatin. Low and high levels of carboxylate were conjugated to HPGs (HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(113) and HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(348)) and their structures were confirmed through NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and potentiometric titration. The hydrodynamic diameter of the HPGs ranged from 5-10 nm and the addition of COOH groups decreased the zeta potential of the polymers. HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(113) bound up to 10% w/w cisplatin, whereas HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(348) bound up to 20% w/w drug with 100% efficiency. Drug was released from HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(113) over 7 days at the same rate, regardless of the pH. Cisplatin release from HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(348) was significantly slower than HPG-C(8/10)-MePEG(6.5)-COOH(113) at pH 6 and 7.4, but similar at pH 4.5. Release of cisplatin into artificial urine was considerably faster than into buffer. Carboxylated HPGs demonstrated good biocompatibility, and drug-loaded HPGs effectively inhibited proliferation of KU-7-luc bladder cancer cells.