Preparation of low molecular weight N-maleated chitosan-graft-PAMAM copolymer for enhanced DNA complexation

Low molecular weight N-maleated chitosan-graft-PAMAM (polyamidoamine) copolymer was prepared through N-maleated chitosan (NMC) by Michael type addition reaction to enhance its solubility in water as well as its cationic character for enhancement of DNA complexation. FTIR, (1)H NMR, XRD and GPC were used to characterize the graft copolymers. The copolymer showed better DNA complexation ability at low N/P ratio than that of chitosan due to increased surface charge density by the incorporation of PAMAM molecule on to chitosan backbone. The copolymer can effectively protect the DNA toward anionic surfactant. In vitro release study showed efficient DNA release occurred at physiological pH (pH 7.4). In vitro cell cytotoxicity test indicated toward less cytotoxicity of NMC-graft-PAMAM copolymers compared to that of 25 kDa PEI. Thus, the synthesized NMC-graft-PAMAM copolymers have great potential of finding application in drug and gene delivery.