Phenolic Acid-based Poly(anhydride-esters) as Antioxidant Biomaterials

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Phenolic acids, such as syringic and vanillic acid, possess natural antioxidant properties.
• Developing safe and effective delivery systems for antioxidants is crucial for therapeutic applications.
• Biodegradable polymers offer potential for controlled release of active compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel poly(anhydride-esters) from natural phenolic acids.
• To investigate the in vitro release kinetics and antioxidant activity of the synthesized polymers.
• To evaluate the cytotoxicity of these polymers for potential topical applications.

Main Methods:

• Solution polymerization was employed to synthesize poly(anhydride-esters).
• Physicochemical properties including molecular weight and thermal characteristics were analyzed.
• In vitro hydrolytic degradation and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were performed.
• Cytotoxicity was assessed using L929 fibroblast cell cultures.

Main Results:

• The polymers were successfully synthesized, and their properties were characterized.
• Hydrolytic degradation rates were influenced by the hydrophobicity and methoxy substitution of the phenolic precursors.
• Released phenolic acids retained significant antioxidant potency compared to controls.
• Polymers exhibited low cytotoxicity, supporting cell morphology and proliferation at lower concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Naturally derived poly(anhydride-esters) can be synthesized using syringic and vanillic acids.
• These polymers demonstrate controlled release of antioxidants with maintained potency.
• The developed polymers are non-cytotoxic and suitable for topical antioxidant therapy delivery.