| Purposes This study aimed to design gentamicin-conjugated PAMAM dendrimers to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods Gentamicin-presenting dendrimers were synthesized using MAL-PEG3400-NHS as a redox-sensitive linker to attach gentamicin to the surface of G4 PAMAM dendrimers. The gentamicin molecules were thiolated by using Traut reagent. Then, the functionalized gentamicin molecules were attached to PEGylated PAMAM dendrimers through simple and high selectively maleimide-thiol reaction. The structure of gentamicin-conjugated PAMAM dendrimers was characterized and confirmed using NMR, DLS, zeta potential analysis, and TEM imaging. The antibacterial properties of the synthesized complex were examined on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and compared to gentamycin alone. Results NMR, DLS, zeta potential analysis, and TEM imaging revealed the successful conjugation of gentamicin to PAMAM dendrimers. Data showed the appropriate physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. We found a 3-fold increase in the antibacterial properties of gentamicin conjugated to the surface of PAMAM dendrimers compared to non-conjugated gentamicin. Based on data, the anti-biofilm effects of PAMAM-Gentamicin dendrimers increased at least 13 times more than the gentamicin in normal conditions. Conclusions Data confirmed that PAMAM dendrimer harboring gentamicin could be touted as a novel smart drug delivery system in infectious conditions.
Keywords: Gentamicin, PAMAM dendrimers, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Drug Delivery, Anti-bacterial capacity |