Synthesis of AB2 type hyperbranched polymer by CuAAC based 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and its application in delivering curcumin to cancer cell cultures in-vitro

Abstract

Hyperbranched polymers are three-dimensional macromolecules with unique physical and chemical properties, such as high solubility, low viscosity, and many functional groups at the terminals, as well as possible applications in several fields. Herein, we report the synthesis of a trifunctional AB2 monomer in a three-step process followed by "Click" polymerization via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition to prepare a polytriazole-based hyperbranched polymer. Synthesized monomer and polymer were subsequently characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and size-exclusion chromatography. The AB2 type hyperbranched polymer was self-assembled into lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (HBP-NPs) through a nanoprecipitation approach, and curcumin (CUR) was incorporated into the HBP-NPs. The CUR-loaded HBP-NPs were characterized by particle size analysis, zeta potential, polydispersity index, morphology, drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, cellular uptake, and anticancer potential against HepG2 and NCI-H460 cell lines. The results indicated the CUR-loaded HBP-NPs demonstrated enhanced cell inhibition due to the improved delivery of CUR upon incorporation into HBP-NPs.