Molecular Weight and Charge Density Effects of Guanidinylated Biodegradable Polycarbonates on Antimicrobial Activity and Selectivity

Biomacromolecules. 2018 May 14;19(5):1389-1401. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01245. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Abstract

Six guanidine functionalized aliphatic biodegradable polycarbonates with varying molecular weights and charge densities were synthesized via postsynthesis modification of alkyne containing polycarbonates using Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry. The concept of passive diluting group was to modify the cationic charge density of the polycarbonate without changing its hydrophilicity. Within the molecular weight range from 8000 to 30000 g mol-1, these guanidine polycarbonates exhibited broad-spectrum biocidal activity with low toxicity to red blood cells (RBCs). The lowest molecular weight homopolymer sample (PG-8k-100) showed the best antimicrobial activity (MIC = 40 μg/mL against Escherichia coli and MIC = 20 μg/mL against Staphylococcus epidermidis) and least RBC toxicity (0.6% hemolysis at MIC). Within the three guanidine charge densities from 20% to 70%, the low to medium dilution samples (PG-8k-7030 and PG-8k-5050) had no obvious loss in antimicrobial activities compared to the nondiluted control sample PG-8k-100. However, upon further dilution, PG-8k-2080 gave the lowest antimicrobial activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Biodegradable Plastics / chemical synthesis*
  • Biodegradable Plastics / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Click Chemistry / methods
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Guanidine / chemistry
  • Molecular Weight
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects
  • Sheep
  • Staphylococcus / drug effects
  • Static Electricity

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Biodegradable Plastics
  • Guanidine