Arabinogalactan protein from Arachis hypogaea: Role as carrier in drug-formulations

Arabinogalactanl protein (AGP) a highly water-soluble glyco-conjugate from groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seedling was isolated and purified by precipitation with β-glucosyl Yariv reagent. Quantification of AGP was done by gel diffusion assay. Purified AGP was conjugated to amphotericin-B (AmB) by Schiff base reaction at pH 11.0, with aim to prepare a water-injectable lesser toxic AGP–AmB conjugate without affecting AmB antifungal potential. The AGP–AmB conjugate antifungal activity was assayed by serial broth dilution and disc method against several Candida albicans clinical isolates. Both AmB and AGP–AmB showed similar MICs and MFCs activities, indicating that AGP do not reduced the antifungal activity of AmB. However, the in vitro and in vivo toxicity assays revealed that AGP–AmB conjugate was lesser toxic than AmB, as high MTD (45 mg/kg body weight) was observed. It is suggested that AGP could be a potent carrier in AmB formulation, which may result in effective treatment of fungal infections.