Hyperbranched polyglycerol-modified graphene oxide as an efficient drug carrier with good biocompatibility

As a promising drug carrier, graphene oxide (GO) has been studied widely in drug delivery due to its excellent loading ability to aromatic drugs. However, its biocompatibility, such as stability and blood compatibility, is now the biggest obstacle for its further application. Herein, the hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG)-modified GO was prepared through the anionic ring-opening polymerization using GO as the initiator directly, and then the doxorubicin hydrochloride was loaded and showed obvious cytotoxicity to tumor cells. The obtained HPG-GO displayed good stability in the aqueous solution, as well showed low toxicity in vitro and in vivo. As an injectable drug carrier, HPG-GO showed good blood compatibility with negligible effect on the hemolysis and blood coagulation. Such a stable and blood-compatible GO derivative may be applied widely in drug delivery in the future.