Guanidinium-Based Ionic Covalent Organic Porous Polymer as Natamycin Delivery Agents for Anti-Candida albicans

Here, we have strategically prepared a biodegradable ionic covalent organic porous polymers (ICOP) with dynamic double selenium bond (Se-Se) which was further used as carriers for the antifungal drug-natamycin (NAT). ICOP presents a high drug-loading capability (DL) of 79.33 +/- 0.12 %, as well as high encapsulation efficiency (EE) of 76.75 +/- 0.58 % to NAT. Meanwhile, owning to the simultaneous introduction of -Se-Se- bond and imine linkage, the composite drug delivery system are responsive to pH, with selective and sustained release in acidic media (pH=5.5), almost 1.34 fold as much as that in neutral conditions (pH=7.4). This special drug release behavior is consisted well with the optimum growing environment of candida albicans (pH=5.5), in which, more drugs could be released continuously, enhancing the duration of drug interactions with fungi and inhibiting the growth of fungus effectively. This novel dosing strategy is promising for the development of intelligent drug delivery system which could avoid the overdoses of drugs, and reduce the emergence of resistant strains.

Automated summary

The bio-degradable ICOP material prepared with dynamic double selenium bond showed high drug-loading capability and encapsulation efficiency for the antifungal drug NAT. The responsive pH behavior of the composite drug delivery system matches the optimal growing environment of candida albicans.