Synthesis and degradation characteristics of salicylic acid-derived poly(anhydride-esters)

A biodegradable poly(anhydride-ester) was synthesized by melt condensation polymerization of the acetylated monomer to yield a novel polymeric prodrug . The polymer we have synthesized is composed of alkyl chains linked by est er bonds to aromatic moieties, specifically salicylic acid-the active compo nent of aspirin. With the medicinal properties attributed to salicylic acid and the ease of metabolism, the incorporation of this compound into a poly mer backbone yields a polymeric prodrug that may have potential in a variet y of applications (i.e., inflammatory bowel disease). For these reasons, we have designed a synthetic scheme that yields the desired poly(anhydride-es ter). The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of these polymers has been perfor med and results indicate that the polymer degradation rate is pH-dependent. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.