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Biodegradable micelles/polymersomes from fumaric/sebacic acids and poly(ethylene glycol)
Farhood Najafi1, Mohammad N Sarbolouki
1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
Biomaterials
|January 16, 2003
Summary
New block copolymers were synthesized from unsaturated oligo-anhydrides and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). These polymers show potential for encapsulating hydrophilic drugs like calcein, forming micelles and polymersomes with controlled release.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Development of novel block copolymers for drug delivery applications.
- Synthesis of functional oligo-anhydrides with terminal acylchloride groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize linear unsaturated oligo-anhydrides and their block copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol).
- To characterize the synthesized oligo-anhydrides and block copolymers.
- To evaluate the encapsulation and release of calcein using these block copolymers.
Main Methods:
- Polycondensation of fumaric/sebacic acid with fumaryl/sebacoyl chloride.
- Reaction with poly(ethylene glycol) to form di- and tri-block copolymers.
- Characterization using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy.
- Encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro hydrolytic degradation studies.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of oligo-anhydrides and di-/tri-block copolymers.
- Characterization confirmed polymer structures and molecular weights.
- Tri-block copolymers achieved up to 40% calcein encapsulation efficiency.
- Di-block copolymers formed micelles and tri-block copolymers formed polymersomes for drug delivery.
Conclusions:
- Novel oligo-anhydride-based block copolymers were successfully synthesized and characterized.
- These block copolymers demonstrate potential as nanocarriers for hydrophilic drugs.
- The study provides insights into encapsulation, release kinetics, and degradation behavior for future drug delivery systems.