Lipoic Acid Based Redox-Responsive Degradable Antimicrobial Polymers

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Antimicrobial Materials
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens present a significant global health challenge.
• Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise but face limitations like degradation and cost.
• Antimicrobial polymers (APs) offer an alternative, inspired by AMPs and synthesized using controlled polymerization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel, degradable, disulfide-containing antimicrobial polymers.
• To incorporate benzyl lipoate, a lipoic acid derivative, for hydrophobic properties.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial activity, hemocompatibility, and degradability of the synthesized polymers.

Main Methods:

• Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was employed.
• Benzyl lipoate was synthesized and copolymerized with cationic and hydrophilic monomers (HEAm, PEGMEA).
• Antimicrobial activity against *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, hemocompatibility, and redox-responsive degradability were assessed.

Main Results:

• The synthesized polymers exhibited antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.
• Improved hemocompatibility was observed compared to existing antimicrobial agents.
• The polymers demonstrated controlled, redox-responsive degradability.

Conclusions:

• Disulfide-based antimicrobial polymers offer a promising strategy against MDR infections.
• The developed polymers show potential for clinical translation due to their efficacy and safety profile.
• Controlled degradability is a key feature for next-generation antimicrobial strategies.