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Polymers, Polymer Blends, and Polymeric Drug Release Systems with Antiviral or Antibacterial Effect—2nd Edition

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 7945

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Piotr Dobrzynski

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Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej Str., 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: biodegradable polymers; ring-opening polymerization; polymeric biomaterials; antibacterial polymers; controlled drug release; tissue engineering; biodegradable implants; biodegradable vascular stents
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a continuation of the previous issue, which, due to the topicality of the subject and high readership, we decided to reactivate. As before, the Special Issue will highlight studies focusing on polymeric biocide materials and polymeric drug delivery systems, as well as their application in medicine, public healthcare, and other areas of daily life.

Bacterial and viral diseases among humans pose a serious threat to health and even life, which of course entails significant socio-economic losses. The pathways of disease transmission caused by bacteria or viruses may vary, but they are usually associated with biological contamination of food, cosmetics, water, public areas, and direct contact between people. These infections, despite special sanitary regimes, often constitute serious complications for surgical procedures. All these sources of infection can be significantly reduced by the widespread use of materials with strong antimicrobial effects, including special polymers.

It is known that many synthetic polymers, polysaccharides, modified polysaccharides, and other macromolecular compounds of natural or synthetic origin have strong antimicrobial activity and, as recently reported, also antiviral activity. Applications of polymers and biopolymers to develop antibacterial and antiviral devices that might be used as active food packaging is a promising alternative to preserving food with chemicals. Biocidal polymers can also be used as self-disinfecting agents to coat surfaces of food processing equipment. Other areas of their application include seals, filters, conveyors, gloves, clothing, and other personal care items. The use of these polymers as protective coatings on generally accessible surfaces such as handles, tables, benches, etc., is also promising.

Polymeric materials can also be effective carriers of antimicrobial drugs, e.g., antibiotics, antibacterial peptides, and quorum-sensing inhibitors, allowing a significant reduction in the required drug dose through targeted action and controlled release over time. A whole field of applications of dry materials in medicine is also opening up, especially in implantology, dentistry, dermatology, cosmetology, and regenerative medicine.

We cordially invite you to contribute to this topical thematic issue by submitting original research papers or interesting reviews.

Dr. Piotr Dobrzynski
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

antimicrobial polymers
antifungal polymers
antiviral polymers
polymers as drug delivery systems
application of biocide polymers
biocide polymers coatings and surfaces
advantages and disadvantages of biocide polymers
mode of action of biocide polymers

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3932 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zero-Order Kinetics Release of Lamivudine from Layer-by-Layer Coated Macromolecular Prodrug Particles

by Tomasz Urbaniak, Yauheni Milasheuski and Witold Musiał

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12921; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312921 - 1 Dec 2024

Viewed by 535

Abstract

To reduce the risk of side effects and enhance therapeutic efficiency, drug delivery systems that offer precise control over active ingredient release while minimizing burst effects are considered advantageous. In this study, a novel approach for the controlled release of lamivudine (LV) was explored through the fabrication of polyelectrolyte-coated microparticles. LV was covalently attached to poly(ε-caprolactone) via ring-opening polymerization, resulting in a macromolecular prodrug (LV-PCL) with a hydrolytic release mechanism. The LV-PCL particles were subsequently coated using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique, with polyelectrolyte multilayers assembled to potentially modify the carrier’s properties. The LbL assembly process was comprehensively analyzed, including assessments of shell thickness, changes in ζ-potential, and thermodynamic properties, to provide insights into the multilayer structure and interactions. The sustained LV release over 7 weeks was observed, following zero-order kinetics (R² > 0.99), indicating a controlled and predictable release mechanism. Carriers coated with polyethylene imine/heparin and chitosan/heparin tetralayers exhibited a distinct increase in the release rate after 6 weeks and 10 weeks, respectively, suggesting that this coating can facilitate the autocatalytic degradation of the polyester microparticles. These findings indicate the potential of this system for long-term, localized drug delivery applications, requiring sustained release with minimal burst effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Polymer Blends, and Polymeric Drug Release Systems with Antiviral or Antibacterial Effect—2nd Edition)

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21 pages, 4751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bactericidal Biodegradable Linear Polyamidoamines Obtained with the Use of Endogenous Polyamines

by Natalia Śmigiel-Gac, Anna Smola-Dmochowska, Katarzyna Jelonek, Monika Musiał-Kulik, Renata Barczyńska-Felusiak, Piotr Rychter, Kamila Lewicka and Piotr Dobrzyński

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052576 - 22 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1600

Abstract

The work presents the synthesis of a series of linear polyamidoamines by polycondensation of sebacoyl dichloride with endogenous polyamines: putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and norspermidine—a biogenic polyamine not found in the human body. During the synthesis carried out via interfacial reaction, hydrophilic, semi-crystalline polymers with an average viscosity molecular weight of approximately 20,000 g/mol and a melting point of approx. 130 °C were obtained. The structure and composition of the synthesized polymers were confirmed based on NMR and FTIR studies. The cytotoxicity tests performed on human fibroblasts and keratinocytes showed that the polymers obtained with spermine and norspermidine were strongly cytotoxic, but only in high concentrations. All the other examined polymers did not show cytotoxicity even at concentrations of 2000 µg/mL. Simultaneously, the antibacterial activity of the obtained polyamides was confirmed. These polymers are particularly active against E. Coli, and virtually all the polymers obtained demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of cells of this strain. Antimicrobial activity of the tested polymer was found against strains like Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The broadest spectrum of bactericidal action was demonstrated by polyamidoamines obtained from spermine, which contains two amino groups in the repeating unit of the chain. The obtained polymers can be used as a material for forming drug carriers and other biologically active compounds in the form of micro- and nanoparticles, especially as a component of bactericidal creams and ointments used in dermatology or cosmetology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Polymer Blends, and Polymeric Drug Release Systems with Antiviral or Antibacterial Effect—2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 4062 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ionic Liquid-Based Polymer Matrices for Single and Dual Drug Delivery: Impact of Structural Topology on Characteristics and In Vitro Delivery Efficiency

by Katarzyna Niesyto, Shadi Keihankhadiv, Aleksy Mazur, Anna Mielańczyk and Dorota Neugebauer

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021292 - 20 Jan 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1439

Abstract

Previously reported amphiphilic linear and graft copolymers, derived from the ionic liquid [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (TMAMA_Cl‾), along with their conjugates obtained through modification either before or after polymerization with p-aminosalicylate anions (TMAMA_PAS‾), were employed as matrices in drug delivery systems (DDSs). Based on the counterion type in TMAMA units, they were categorized into single drug systems, manifesting as ionic polymers with chloride counterions and loaded isoniazid (ISO), and dual drug systems, featuring ISO loaded in self-assembled PAS conjugates. The amphiphilic nature of these copolymers was substantiated through the determination of the critical micelle concentration (CMC), revealing an increase in values post-ion exchange (from 0.011–0.063 mg/mL to 0.027–0.181 mg/mL). The self-assembling properties were favorable for ISO encapsulation, with drug loading content (DLC) ranging between 15 and 85% in both single and dual systems. In vitro studies indicated ISO release percentages between 16 and 61% and PAS release percentages between 20 and 98%. Basic cytotoxicity assessments using the 2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test affirmed the non-toxicity of the studied systems toward human non-tumorigenic lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) cell lines, particularly in the case of dual systems bearing both ISO and PAS simultaneously. These results confirmed the effectiveness of polymeric carriers in drug delivery, demonstrating their potential for co-delivery in combination therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Polymer Blends, and Polymeric Drug Release Systems with Antiviral or Antibacterial Effect—2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 8494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Designing of Drug Delivery Systems to Improve the Antimicrobial Efficacy in the Periodontal Pocket Based on Biodegradable Polyesters

by Magdalena Zięba, Wanda Sikorska, Marta Musioł, Henryk Janeczek, Jakub Włodarczyk, Małgorzata Pastusiak, Abhishek Gupta, Iza Radecka, Mattia Parati, Grzegorz Tylko, Marek Kowalczuk and Grażyna Adamus

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010503 - 29 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1883

Abstract

Delivery systems for biologically active substances such as proanthocyanidins (PCANs), produced in the form of electrospun nonwoven through the electrospinning method, were designed using a polymeric blend of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)and poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] ((R,S)-PHB). The studies involved the structural and thermal characteristics of the developed electrospun three-dimensional fibre matrices unloaded and loaded with PCANs. In the next step, the hydrolytic degradation tests of these systems were performed. The release profile of PCANs from the electrospun nonwoven was determined with the aid of UV–VIS spectroscopy. Approximately 30% of the PCANs were released from the tested electrospun nonwoven during the initial 15–20 days of incubation. The chemical structure of water-soluble oligomers that were formed after the hydrolytic degradation of the developed delivery system was identified through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Oligomers of lactic acid and OLAGA oligocopolyester, as well as oligo-3-hydroxybutyrate terminated with hydroxyl and carboxyl end groups, were recognized as degradation products released into the water during the incubation time. It was also demonstrated that variations in the degradation rate of individual mat components influenced the degradation pattern and the number of formed oligomers. The obtained results suggest that the incorporation of proanthocyanidins into the system slowed down the hydrolytic degradation process of the poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutyrate] three-dimensional fibre matrix. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial studies advocate the use of PCANs for biomedical applications with promising antimicrobial activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Polymer Blends, and Polymeric Drug Release Systems with Antiviral or Antibacterial Effect—2nd Edition)

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Review

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23 pages, 2408 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chitosan–Clay Mineral Nanocomposites with Antibacterial Activity for Biomedical Application: Advantages and Future Perspectives

by Danina Krajišnik, Snežana Uskoković-Marković and Aleksandra Daković

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10377; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910377 - 26 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1426

Abstract

Polymers of natural origin, such as representatives of various polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, dextran, hyaluronic acid, gellan gum, etc.), and their derivatives, have a long tradition in biomedical applications. Among them, the use of chitosan as a safe, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly heteropolysaccharide has been particularly intensively researched over the last two decades. The potential of using chitosan for medical purposes is reflected in its unique cationic nature, viscosity-increasing and gel-forming ability, non-toxicity in living cells, antimicrobial activity, mucoadhesiveness, biodegradability, as well as the possibility of chemical modification. The intuitive use of clay minerals in the treatment of superficial wounds has been known in traditional medicine for thousands of years. To improve efficacy and overcome the ubiquitous bacterial resistance, the beneficial properties of chitosan have been utilized for the preparation of chitosan–clay mineral bionanocomposites. The focus of this review is on composites containing chitosan with montmorillonite and halloysite as representatives of clay minerals. This review highlights the antibacterial efficacy of chitosan–clay mineral bionanocomposites in drug delivery and in the treatment of topical skin infections and wound healing. Finally, an overview of the preparation, characterization, and possible future perspectives related to the use of these advancing composites for biomedical applications is presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Polymer Blends, and Polymeric Drug Release Systems with Antiviral or Antibacterial Effect—2nd Edition)

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