Effect of PEGylation on drug uptake, biodistribution, and tissue toxicity of efavirenz–ritonavir loaded PAMAM G4 dendrimers

Abstract

The present investigations aimed to compare the efficiency of PAMAM G4 (PG4) and PEGylated PAMAM G4 (PPG4) dendrimers as novel nanocarriers for the treatment of HIV-1. Synthesized PG4 and PPG4 dendrimers were confirmed by electrospray ionization and particle size with its morphology. The anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug efavirenz (EFV) with a booster dose of ritonavir (RTV) was encapsulated into PG4 and PPG4 formerly noted as PG4ER and PPG4ER, respectively. Further, evaluated for dendrimers mediated solubilization, drug release, cytotoxicity, drug uptake, plasma, and tissue pharmacokinetics, and histopathology. PG4ER and PPG4ER both promoted a prolonged release of EFV in weakly acidic pH 4 up to 84 h and 132 h, respectively. The results of the cytotoxicity assay and drug uptake study showed that PPG4ER was safe and biocompatible up to 12.5 µg/ml. The plasma pharmacokinetic profile of EFV and RTV was significantly increased by PPG4ER with prolonged t 1/2 up to three times as compared to free EFV–RTV and PG4ER. Histopathological analysis showed remarkably lower tissue toxicity in PPG4ER as compared to free EFV–RTV. Therefore, overall data suggested that PPG4 has a great potential for prolonged release of EFV and RTV with enhanced bioavailability and lower toxicity.