SYNTHESIS AND HYDROLYSIS OF POLYURETHANES CONTAINING IBUPROFEN PENDENT GROUPS

New biodegradable polyurethanes and polyetherurethanes having hydrolyt ically labile ibuprofen groups as a therapeutic agent were prepared by reacting 1,6-hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI), ethylene glycol with ib uprofen monoglyceride as a chain extender. The polyetherurethanes cont aining ibuprofen pendent groups were prepared by reacting poly(ethylen e glycol) with an excess of HDI to obtain a prepolymer which was react ed with ibuprofen monoglyceride low molecular weight diol. The structu re of the polymers was confirmed by FTIR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The hydrolysis of the polymers was carried out in dialysis bags containin g aqueous buffer solution (pH 8) at 37 degrees C. UV spectroscopy was used to show that ibuprofen was released by hydrolysis of the ester bo nd between the drug and polyurethane monoglyceride segments. The polyu rethane-drug conjugates have longer duration of activity, due to slow release of ibuprofen.