Folate and Folate-PEG-PAMAM Dendrimers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Targeted Anticancer Drug Delivery Potential in Tumor Bearing Mice

Ligand-mediated targeting of drugs especially in anticancer drug delivery is an effective approach. Dendrimers, due to unique surface topologies, can be a choice in this context. In the present study, PAMAM (polyamidoamine) dendrimers up to fourth generation were synthesized and characterized through infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric, and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) techniques. Primary amines present on the dendritic surface were conjugated through folic acid and folic acid-PEG (poly(ethylene glycol))-NHS (N-hydroxysuccinimide) conjugates. Tumor in mice was induced through the use of KB cell culture. Prepared dendritic conjugates were evaluated for the anticancer drug delivery potential using 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) in tumor-bearing mice. Approximately 31% of 5-FU was loaded in folate-PEG-dendritic conjugates. Results indicated that folate-PEG-dendrimer conjugate was significantly safe and effective in tumor targeting compared to a non-PEGylated formulation. Tailoring of dendrimers via PEG-folic acid reduced hemolytic toxicity, which led to a sustained drug release pattern as well as highest accumulation in the tumor area.