Synthesis and characterization of polypeptide containing liver‐targeting group

Abstract Glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizic acid and bile acid were reported to be accumulated in liver. A series of novel liver‐specific targeting polypeptides, poly(γ‐benzyl‐ L ‐glutamate), were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of N ‐carboxyanhydride of γ‐benzyl‐ L ‐glutamate (BLG‐NCA) with amine‐terminated compounds containing the above‐mentioned liver‐targeting group as an initiator. The molecular weights of the polypeptides were measured by gel permeation chromatography. The structures of these polypeptides and their initiators were confirmed by FTIR and 1 H‐NMR spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that it is an efficient strategy to introduce a liver‐targeting group into polymers via amine‐terminated compounds containing glycyrrhetinic acid, glycyrrhizic acid and bile acid. The novel polymers have potential medical applications in targeted drug delivery. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry