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Published on: October 10, 2016
Behavior of PPI-G2 Dendrimer in a Microemulsion
Shifra Rokach1,2, Maria Francesca Ottaviani3, Alexander I Shames4
1The Ratner Chair of Chemistry, Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.
This study introduces a novel dendrimer-based microemulsion for controlled drug delivery. Poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers enhance drug carrier stability and release, showing promise for advanced nanomedicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Dendrimer nanostructures offer uniform size, shape, and cell membrane permeability for biomedical uses.
- Dendrimers act as gene/drug carriers and possess therapeutic properties for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Combining dendrimers with water-in-oil microemulsions (W/O MEs) can enhance drug delivery control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a new W/O microemulsion system incorporating poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers (PPI-G2) for controlled drug delivery.
- To investigate the interactions between PPI-G2 dendrimers, surfactants (phosphatidylcholine), cosurfactants (butanol), and water within the microemulsion.
- To evaluate the impact of PPI-G2 concentration on microemulsion properties, including droplet size, curvature, and internal dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to analyze droplet size and macro-ordering.
- Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to assess micro-ordering and microviscosity.
- Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (SD-NMR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to study molecular interactions.
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to quantify free water content.
Main Results:
- Increasing PPI-G2 concentration reduced droplet curvature and increased droplet size, enhancing macro- and micro-order.
- Stronger interactions between PPI-G2 and water molecules were observed, at the expense of surfactant/cosurfactant hydration.
- PPI-G2 incorporation increased microviscosity and reduced free water, leading to slower mobility of microemulsion components.
Conclusions:
- The developed dendrimer-microemulsion system demonstrates potential as a controlled drug delivery nanosystem.
- PPI-G2 dendrimers significantly influence the structural and dynamic properties of W/O microemulsions.
- This system offers a promising platform for advanced nanomedicine, leveraging the benefits of both dendrimers and microemulsions.
