Facially Amphiphilic Polyionene Biocidal Polymers Derived From Lithocholic Acid

Mitra S. Ganewatta, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Md Anisur Rahman, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Louis Mercado, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Tinom Shokfai, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Alan W. Decho, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Theresa M. Reineke, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Chuanbing Tang, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.

Abstract

Bacterial infections have become a global issue that requires urgent attention, particularly regarding to emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria. We developed quaternary amine-containing antimicrobial poly(bile acid)s that contain a hydrophobic core of lithocholic acid in the main-chain. Interestingly, by choosing appropriate monomers, these cationic polymers can form core-shell micelles. These polymers exhibited biocidal activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species. It is demonstrated that the micelles can deliver hydrophobic antibiotics that functionally have dual antimicrobial activities. Cytotoxicity assays against HeLa cells showed dosage-dependent toxicity for polymers with longer linkers.