Amphiphilic star copolymers composed of curcumin core for bacterial inactivation

Author(s)

Santos, Madson R. E. ; Fidelis, Clara L. B. ; Zandonadi, Flavia S. ; Giacomelli, Fernando C. ; Felisberti, Maria Isabel

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Polymer International; v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2023-08-03.

Abstract

Polymeric materials with antimicrobial properties hold the potential to be the next generation of therapeutics. This work reports the preparation of amphiphilic and star-like copolymers through arm-first and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The copolymers composed of poly(dimethylamine ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) as the arms and poly(curcumin dimethacrylate) (PCDMA) as the crosslinked core presented a well-controlled amphiphilic structure with low dispersity values (D = 1.15). Varying the [CDMA]:[PDMAEMA] molar ratios (4, 6 and 8) led to a significant increase in the molar mass (153, 688 and 1550 kDa), particle size (33, 90 and 105 nm) and the average number of PDMAEMA arms anchored to the curcumin-based core (12, 52 and 125 arms), as determined by dynamic and static light scattering. The antimicrobial activity of cationic PDMAEMA(40)-co-PCDMA(core) was tested against Escherichia coli in the absence of light and under white light to investigate the photodynamic activity of the copolymers. The results demonstrated a concentration dependence but no additional effect under light irradiation. SEM imaging and live/dead assays revealed extensive membrane damage, evidencing a membrane-disruption mechanism. HeLa viability assays demonstrated that at 1 mg mL(-1), 80 +/- 10% of the cells demonstrated metabolic activity after 24 h. (c) 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/15923-0 - Smart light-responsive polymers with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties
• Grantee: Madson Ricardo Everton Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/12071-6 - Tailoring colloids through supramolecular interactions: from fundamentals to applications
• Grantee: Watson Loh
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/25406-5 - Organizing matter: colloids formed by association of surfactants, polymers and nanoparticles
• Grantee: Watson Loh
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants