Characteristics of complexes between poly(propylene imine) dendrimers and nucleotides

Abstract

The aim of our work was to study the G4 and the G5 generations of cationic poly(propylene imine) dendrimers (PPI) as potential anticancer drug carriers. PPI dendrimers with 50% of primary amino surface groups modified with maltose were applied (PPI-m). Adenosine 5′-phosphates (AMP, ADP and ATP)—structural analogues of anticancer drug (fludarabine) were chosen as model molecules. Using Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) it has been shown that nucleotide analogues form stable complexes with the dendrimers. The number of nucleotides complexed with PPI-m G4 and G5 dendrimers depends on (1) nucleotide form, (2) time, (3) concentration of NaCl in the solution and (4) pH of solution. Obtained results are promising enough to further study PPI-m dendrimers as nanosized carrier systems for anticancer drugs.