Polymeric nanoparticles tryptophan-graft-p(HEMA): a study on synthesis, characterization, and toxicity

Poly-hydroxyethyl methacrylate [p(HEMA)] is one of the most widely used polymers in different biomedical applications because it is a biocompatible and a biodegradable material. Tryptophan (Trp) is a biocompatible, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory amino acid. Trp modification contributes to the more effective use of nanoparticles in cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to synthesize polymeric nanoparticles tryptophan- graft -poly(HEMA) [Trp- g -p(HEMA)] and assess characterization and toxicity/biocompatibility potential of it in terms of using a drug carrier. The nanoparticles were synthesized with surfactant-free emulsion polymerization and grafting technique and the grafting efficiency was found as 78.65 ± 2.48%. The characterization of the nanoparticles was performed by FT-IR spectroscopy, zeta analysis, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and swelling test. The nanopolymers had the spectra from 750 to 4000 cm −1 and characteristic peaks of stretching bands, 164.1 ± 29.2 nm average size, − 10.2 ± 8.7 mV surface charge, smooth surface, and nearly spherical shape. The swelling ratios of them were estimated as 79.52 ± 0.86% in d.w. and 93.33 ± 2.32% in PBS at 25 °C, 35.71 ± 0.62% in d.w., and 42.86 ± 0.64% in PBS at 37 °C. The nanoparticles did not induce cytotoxicity, oxidative stress generation, and genotoxicity on human healthy lymphocyte cells. Trp- g -p(HEMA) had hemocompatible properties. We found no irritant effect in the HET-CAM test. The acute oral LD 50 value of the nanopolymers was > 2000 mg/kg body weight on BALB/c mice. We announce that the polymeric nanoparticles Trp- g -p(HEMA) is a biocompatible material and has potential to use as a drug carrier for oral, intravenous, and ocular administrations.