Polyurethanes based on dihydroxamic acids. Synthesis, chemical characterization, and biological activity

A series of segmented polyurethanes based on polyethylene oxide/polycaprolactone diol, isophorone diisocyanate, and dihydroxamic acids were synthesized and characterized. Biocompatibility and antitumoral activity were in vivo tested on Wistar male rats and Wistar rats affected with Walker 256 carcinosarcoma, respectively. The effect of dihydroxamic acid structure on the biological properties was determined. A better antitumoral response of the polyurethanes containing aliphatic dihydroxamic segment compared with those which resulted using terephthaloyl dihydroxamic acid was evidenced. With increasing polymer chain polyethylene oxide content the antitumoral activity was also enhanced. Some attempts on the in vitro biodegradation of above polyurethanes were also performed.