Application and biomolecular study of functionalized folic acid-dendrimer nanoparticles in drug delivery

We determined the loading efficacy of folic acid–PAMAM–G3 and folic acid–PAMAM–G4 nanoparticles with doxorubicin (Dox), tamoxifen (Tam) and tetracycline (Tet) in aqueous solution at pH 7.2. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH0 −16 to −4 (kJ mol−1), ΔS0 31 to ˗0.3 (J mol−1K−1) and ΔG0 −14 to −11 (kJ mol−1) showed drug folic acid–PAMAM bindings are via ionic, H-bonding and van der Waals interactions. As acid–PAMAM size increased the stability and loading efficacy of drug–polymer conjugates were increased. The order of stability for drug-nanoparticles was doxorubicin > tetracycline > tamoxifen. TEM analysis showed major polymer morphological changes, upon drug encapsulation. Folic acid–PAMAM conjugates are effective drug delivery tools in vitro. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma