Studies on the Synthesis of Antibiotic Conjugates with Chitosan

Abstract

Chitosan is stepwise treated with periodic acid, urea and formaldehyde and then introduced hydroxymethyl groups reacted with tetracycline and carminomycin. The conjugates obtained are fully soluble in dirnethylforrnamide in contrast to the ji·ee chitosan. The conjugate of chitosan with tetracycline preserves almost ful(v the antibacterial activity of the free tetrac_vc-line. An enhenced antitumour activity and decreased toxicity of carminomycin are detected after its conjugation with chitosan.