Pharmacology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Pharmacology, including details on pharmacogenomics, drug development, new medications.

pH-responsive aggregates from double hydrophilic block copolymers carrying zwitterionic groups. Encapsulation of antiparasitic compounds for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Karanikolopoulos N, Pitsikalis M, Hadjichristidis N, Georgikopoulou K, Calogeropoulou T, Dunlap JR

Industrial Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece.

A series of well-defined poly[(ethylene oxide)-b-2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PEO-b-PDMAEMA) diblock copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques. Post-polymerization reactions were performed to transform a portion of the tertiary amine groups of the PDMAEpsilonMA into phosphorozwitterions. The aggregation behavior of the prepared zwitterionic block copolymers was investigated by static and dynamic light scattering techniques at 25 and 37 degrees C, in weakly basic and acidic aqueous solutions. Antiparasitic drugs used for the treatment of Leishmania were incorporated into the copolymer aggregates. The effect of the solution pH, the zwitterion content, temperature, and the quantity of the incorporated drug on the aggregation behavior of the copolymers was tested.

Published 3 April 2007 in Langmuir, 23(8): 4214-24.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Pharmacology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.