Antioxidant Activity of New Copolymer Conjugates of Methoxyoligo(Ethylene Glycol)Methacrylate and Betulin Methacrylate with Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles In Vitro

The synthesis of two new copolymer conjugates of methoxyoligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate MPEGMA and betulin methacrylate BM was developed via RAFT polymerization. The molar content of BM units was equal to 9-10 and 13-16 mol%, respectively (HPLC, H-1 and C-13 NMR); molar weights were equal to 75000-115000. CeO2 NPs as a component of the hybrid material were synthesized for the preparation of the composition with copolymer conjugates of MPEGMA and BM. We showed a significant increase in G6PDH and GR activities by 21-51% and 9-132%, respectively, which was due to the increase in NADPH concentration under the action of copolymers in vitro. The actions of copolymers and CeO2 NPs combination were stronger than those of the individual components: the SOD activity increased by more than 30%, the catalase activity increased dose-dependently from 13 to 45%, and the GR activity increased to 49%. The maximum increase in enzyme activity was observed for the G6PDH from 54% to 151%. The MDA level dose-dependently increased by 3-15% under the action of copolymers compared with the control, and dose-dependently decreased by 3-12% in samples containing CeO2 NPs only. CeO2 NP-copolymer compositions can be used for the design of new biomimetic medical products with controlled antioxidant properties.

Automated summary

In this study, new copolymer conjugates were synthesized via RAFT polymerization and combined with CeO2 NPs to prepare biomimetic medical products with controlled antioxidant properties. The combination of copolymers and CeO2 NPs showed stronger effects in increasing enzyme activity and NADPH concentration compared to individual components.