Cytotoxicity of amphotericin B-incorporated polymeric micelles composed of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide)/dextran graft copolymer

In this study, we prepared amphotericin B (AmpB)-encapsulated polymeric micelle of poly(DL-lactideco-glycolide) (PLGA) grafted-dextran (DexLG) copolymer for the cytotoxicity test. The average particle size of AmpB-encapsulated DexLG polymeric micelles was around 30∼70 nm and their morphology showed spherical shapes. Since aggregation states of AmpB are related to intrinsic cytotoxicity, prevention of AmpB aggregation in aqueous solution will provide low cytotoxicity and increased antimicrobial activity for the infectious disease. At UV/VIS spectrum measurement, polymeric micelle prepared from methanol/water mixture (method B) showed a monomeric state of AmpB while polymeric micelle prepared from DMSO (method A) showed an aggregated state. During the hemolysis activity test, polymeric micelle from method B showed reduced hemolysis activity compared to AmpB itself and polymeric micelle from method A. These results indicated that AmpB-incorporated polymeric micelle prepared from methanol/water mixture has low cytotoxicity and favorable antimicrobial activity.