Carbohydrate-Derived Polytriazole Nanoparticles Enhance the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cilostazol

Abstract

Poly(amide-triazole) and poly(ester-triazole) synthesized from d-galactose as a renewable resource were applied for the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) by the emulsification/solvent evaporation method. The NPs were characterized as stable, spherical particles, and none of their components, including the stabilizer poly(vinyl alcohol), were cytotoxic for normal rat kidney cells. These NPs proved to be useful for the efficient encapsulation of cilostazol (CLZ), an antiplatelet and vasodilator drug currently used for the treatment of intermittent claudication, which is associated with undesired side-effects. In this context, the nanoencapsulation of CLZ was expected to improve its therapeutic administration. The carbohydrate-derived polymeric NPs were designed taking into account that the triazole rings of the polymer backbone could have attractive interactions with the tetrazole ring of CLZ. The activity of the nanoencapsulated CLZ was measured using a matrix metalloproteinase model in a lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation system. Interestingly, the encapsulated drug exhibited enhanced anti-inflammatory activity in comparison with the free drug. The results are very promising since the stable, noncytotoxic NP systems efficiently reduced the inflammation response at low CLZ doses. In summary, the NPs were obtained through an innovative methodology that combines a carbohydrate-derived synthetic polymer, designed to interact with the drug, ease of preparation, adequate biological performance, and environmentally friendly production.

Photoactive glycoconjugates with a very large Stokes shift: synthesis, photophysics, and copper(ii) and BSA sensing

“…Carbohydrates have natural availability, polyfunctionality, and low toxicity, making them ideal candidates for designing functional molecules with coordination sites for metals. 6,7,8 Therefore, glycoconjugation represents a promising strategy for synthesizing fluorescent sensors that can play a crucial role in analytical applications, offering a valuable tool for detecting and quantifying various analytes of interest. 9 The development of a chemosensor requires a carefully planned molecule with two essential components: a receptor site for analyte binding and a signaling unit, typically a fluorophore or chromophore.…”