Glutathione-mediated biodegradable polyurethanes derived from L-arabinitol.

The synthesis, characterization, and some properties of new glutathione-mediated biodegradable sugar-based copolyurethanes are described. These copolyurethanes were obtained by polyaddition reaction of mixtures of 2,2'-dithiodiethanol (DiT) and 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-L-arabinitol (ArBn) or 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-L-arabinitol (ArMe) to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). The copolymer compositions were studied by elemental microanalyses and (1)H NMR, revealing that the content of the copolymer units is in all cases very similar to that of their corresponding feed. The PU(DiT-HMDI) homopolymer exhibited a high crystallinity, but the introduction of the arabinitol-based diols led to a reduction in the crystallinity of the copolymers. In their TG curves, the copolymers exhibited a mixed trend of the related homopolymers, and all of them were thermally stable, with degradation temperatures above 220 degrees C. The degradation properties of the macromolecules under physiological conditions in the presence of glutathione were tested. All the copolyurethanes proved to be biodegradable under the experimental conditions (pH = 7.02 and 37 degrees C). The degradation pattern of the copolymers depended not only on the dithiodiethanol (DiT) reactive units ratio in the polymer backbone, but also on the crystallinity of the macromolecule.

Reversible pH-Sensitive Chitosan-Based Hydrogels. Influence of Dispersion Composition on Rheological Properties and Sustained Drug Delivery.

The present work deals with the synthesis of micro-structured biomaterials based on chitosan (CTS) for their applications as biocompatible carriers of drugs and bioactive compounds. Twelve dispersions were prepared by means of functional cross-linking with tricarballylic acid (TCA); they were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their rheological properties were studied. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has been carried out on the influence of CTS concentration, degree of cross-linking and drug loading on chitosan hydrogels for drug delivery systems (DDS) and is investigated herein for the first time. The influence of dispersion composition (polymer concentration and degree of cross-linking) revealed to exert a marked impact on its rheological properties, going from liquid-like to viscoelastic gels. The release profiles of a model drug, diclofenac sodium (DCNa), as well as their relationships with polymer concentration, drug loading and degree of cross-linking were evaluated. Similar to the findings on rheological properties, a wide range of release profiles was encountered. These formulations were found to display a well-controlled drug release strongly dependent on the formulation composition. Cumulative drug release under physiological conditions for 96 h ranged from 8% to 67%. For comparative purpose, Voltaren emulgel® from Novartis Pharmaceuticals was also investigated and the latter was the formulation with the highest cumulative drug release (85%). Some formulations showed similar spreadability values to the commercial hydrogel. The comparative study of three batches confirmed the reproducibility of the method, leading to systems particularly suitable for their use as drug carriers.

Loading studies of the anticancer drug camptothecin into dual stimuli-sensitive nanoparticles. Stability scrutiny.

In recent years, the preparation of valuable drug delivery systems (DDS) from self-assembled amphiphilic copolymers has attracted much attention since these nanomaterials provide new opportunities to solve problems such as the lack of solubility in water of lipophilic drugs, improve their bioavailability, prolong their circulation time and decrease the side effects associated with their administration. In the current study two types of biocompatible pH-responsive nanoparticles derived from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) have been used as drug nano-carriers, being one of them core cross-linked to circumvent their instability upon dilution in human fluids. The present paper deals with the optimization of the loading process of the labile, hydrophobic and highly active anticancer drug, Camptothecin (CPT) into the nanoparticles with regard to four independent variables: CPT/polymer ratio, sonication, temperature and loading time. Forty experiments were carried out and a Box-Behnken experimental design was used to evaluate the significance of the independent variables related to encapsulation efficiency and drug retention capacity. The enhanced drug loading and encapsulation efficiency values (58% and >92%, respectively) of CPT were achieved by the core cross-linked NPs in 2 h at 32 °C at CPT/polymer ratio 1.5:1 w/w and 14 min of sonication. The optimized CPT-loaded NPs were studied by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy, and an increase in size of the loaded-NP compared to the unloaded counterparts was found. Other twenty experiments were conducted to study the enability to retain CPT into the conjugates at different ionic strength values and times. The stability studies demonstrated that the core cross-linked nanocarriers displayed an excellent drug retention capacity (>90%) at 25 °C for 15 days in every ionic-strength environments whereas the non-cross-linked ones were more stable at physiological ionic strength. The optimized systems proved to be a major step forward to encapsulate and retain CPT in the NP nuclei, what makes them ideal devices to control the delivery of CPT upon the triggered acidic conditions of solid tumors.

Validation of Smart Nanoparticles as Controlled Drug Delivery Systems: Loading and pH-Dependent Release of Pilocarpine.

Micelles are good devices for use as controlled drug delivery systems because they exhibit the ability to protect the encapsulated substance from the routes of degradation until they reach the site of action. The present work assesses loading kinetics of a hydrophobic drug, pilocarpine, in polymeric micellar nanoparticles (NPs) and its pH-dependent release in hydrophilic environments. The trigger pH stimulus, pH 5.5, was the value encountered in damaged tissues in solid tumors. The new nanoparticles were prepared from an amphiphilic block copolymer, [(HEMA19%-DMA31%)-(FMA5%-DEA45%)]. For the present research, three systems were validated, two of them with cross-linked cores and the other without chemical stabilization. A comparison of their loading kinetics and release profiles is discussed, with the support of additional data obtained by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The drug was loaded into the NPs within the first minutes; the load was dependent on the degree of cross-linking. All of the systems experienced a boost in drug release at acidic pH, ranging from 50 to 80% within the first 48 h. NPs with the highest degree (20%) of core cross-linking delivered the highest percentage of drug at fixed times. The studied systems exhibited fine-tuned sustained release features, which may provide a continuous delivery of the drug at specific acidic locations, thereby diminishing side effects and increasing therapeutic rates. Hence, the studied NPs proved to behave as smart controlled drug delivery systems capable of responding to changes in pH.

Low-molecular-weight poly(alpha-methyl beta,L-malate) of microbial origin: synthesis and crystallization.

Low-molecular-weight poly(alpha-methyl beta,L-malate) made of approximately 25-30 units was prepared from microbial poly(beta,L-malic acid) by treatment with diazomethane. The thermal characterization of the polymalate methyl ester was carried out and its crystalline structure was preliminary examined. Its ability to crystallize both from solution and from the melt was comparatively evaluated.

Synthesis of D-mannitol and L-iditol derivatives as monomers for the preparation of new regioregular AABB-type polyamides.

1,6-Diamino-1,6-dideoxy-2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-mannitol (and its L-iditol analogue) suitable for their utilization as monomers in the preparation of linear polyamides are described. Regio- and stereoregular polyamides of the AABB-type have been prepared by the active ester polycondensation method from these C(2) symmetric monomers and suberic and dodecanedioic acids. The resulting polyamides were obtained in fair yields (70-60%) and were characterized by elemental analyses and infrared and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Their M(w) and M(w)/M(n) were determined by GPC relative to polystyrene standards. All of them were gummy non-crystalline solids.

New derivatives of D-mannaric and galactaric acids. Synthesis of a new stereoregular Nylon 66 analog from carbohydrate-based monomers having the D-manno configuration.

2,3,4,5-Tetra-O-methyl-D-mannaric and galactaric acids and their bis(pentachlorophenyl) esters have been prepared as crystalline compounds, in good yields, from D-mannitol and galactitol, respectively. A new stereoregular polyamide, analogous to Nylon 66, has been prepared by polycondensation of bis(pentachlorophenyl) 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-mannarate with 1,6-diamino-1,6-dideoxy-2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-mannitol dihydrochloride. The polymer has a M(w) of 31,100 with a polydispersity of 1.5 (GPC). It was highly hygroscopic and soluble in ethanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide and chloroform, but only slightly soluble in water.

Synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucono-1,6-lactone as a monomer for the preparation of copolyesters.

2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucono-1,6-lactone has been prepared as a crystalline compound in acceptable yield by two different routes. An initial assay of copolymerization with L-lactide by ring-opening polymerization was carried out. The incorporation of the carbohydrate monomer into the polymer chain was about 2%.

1,4-Dioxane-2,5-dione-type monomers derived from l-ascorbic and d-isoascorbic acids. Synthesis and polymerisation.

l-Ascorbic and d-isoascorbic acids have been used as the starting materials for the preparation of (3R,4'S)-3-(2',2'-dimethyl-1',3'-dioxolan-4'-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPTA), (3R and S, 4'S,6R)-3-methyl-6-(2',2'-dimethyl-1',3'-dioxolan-4'-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPTP) and (3R,4'R)-3-(2',2'-dimethyl-1',3'-dioxolan-4'-yl)-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (IPEA), three novel 1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione-type monomers. Ring-opening homopolymerisation and copolymerisation of the IPTA monomer, derived from l-ascorbic acid, with d,l-lactide have been performed. The polymers were characterised by elemental microanalysis, as well as IR and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies. GPC was used to estimate product molecular weights, and thermal studies (DSC and TGA) revealed that all the polymers were amorphous, being stable up to 250 degrees C under nitrogen.

Biodegradable nanoparticles of partially methylated fungal poly(beta-L-malic acid) as a novel protein delivery carrier.

The preparation of nanoparticles from 75% methylated poly(beta-L-malic acid) is described. Their degradation in aqueous environments was examined and the influence of pH and lipase on the rate of hydrolysis was evaluated. Six proteins were used to estimate the loading efficiency of the nanoparticles. The amount of protein retained in the nanoparticles was found to depend on the acid/basic character of the protein. Protein release from the loaded nanoparticles upon incubation in water under physiological conditions encompassed polymer hydrolysis and happened steadily within 3-10 d. The activity loss of entrapped alpha-chymotrypsin caused by loading and releasing depended on the method used for loading.

Synthesis, degradability, and drug releasing properties of methyl esters of fungal poly(beta,L-malic acid).

Methyl esters of microbial poly(beta,L-malic acid) for conversion degrees of 25, 50, 75, and 100% were prepared by treatment of the polyacid with diazomethane. Esterification proceeded with retention of the molecular weight of the parent polyacid and the copolymers displayed a blocky microstructure consisting of short segments of malic and methyl malate sequences. The thermal stability of the copolyesters was lower than those of the parent homopolymers and all of them were fairly crystalline with melting temperatures within the range of 170-175 degrees C. They were degraded rapidly by water, the hydrolysis rate being highly dependent on the methylation degree. Microspheres with mean-average diameters in the range of 1-20 microm were prepared from the 100% methylated product by the emulsion-evaporation solvent method. Encapsulation of erythromycin was efficiently performed in these microparticles and its releasing upon incubation in simulated physiological medium was evaluated for different drug loads. Drug delivery was observed to occur by a releasing mechanism largely determined by the hydrodegradation of the host polymer and independent of the amount of loaded drug.