Effect of strong and weak polyelectrolytes on the properties of cationic surfactant with triallyl ammonium head group: self-assembly and biological assessment

Comprehensive assessment of polymer-colloid systems based on cationic surfactant with triallyl head group (TAS-16) in the presence of synthetic polyelectrolytes (polyacrylic acid (PAA), sodium polyacrylate (SPA), and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)) has been carried out. The addition of a weak polyelectrolyte PAA reduces the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the amphiphile up to 50 times, while the strong polyelectrolytes PSS and SPA, have a minor effect on the aggregation thresholds of the surfactant. Transmission electron microscopy shows the formation of mixed spherical aggregates grouped together like a pearl necklace. The mixed compositions exhibit antitumor activity against the HuTu 80 cell line and lower cytotoxicity toward normal Chang liver cells. The polymers do not induce hemolysis and hemagglutination, while TAS-16 exhibits moderate hemolytic activity in single system and in the composition. The polymer-colloid complexes containing strong polyelectrolyte SPA were more effective as nanocontainers to enhance the solubility of the hydrophobic antibiotic Amphotericin B.