Work

Branched amphotericin functional poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide): an antifungal polymer

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Branched poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was functionalized with Amphotericin B (AmB) at the chain ends to produce an antifungal material. The polymer showed antifungal properties against AmB-sensitive strains ofCandida albicans,Fusarium keratoplasticumandAspergillus flavus(minimal inhibitory concentration ranged from 5 to 500 µg ml−1) but was not effective against an AmB resistant strain ofC. albicansnor againstCandida tropicalis. The polymer end groups bound to the AmB target, ergosterol, and the fluorescence spectrum of a dye used as a solvatochromic probe, Nile red, was blue shifted indicating that segments of the polymer became desolvated on binding. The polymer was less toxic to corneal and renal epithelial cells and explanted corneal tissue than the free drug. Also, the polymer did not induce reactive oxygen species release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, nor did it cause a substantial release of the proinflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β(at 0.5 mg ml−1).

Source: Royal Society Open Science

DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201655