Synthesis and Controlled Release Behavior of Biodegradable Polymers with Pendant Ibuprofen Group

The continuous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen frequently leads to some serious side-effects including stomach ulcers and bleeding. In this paper, two kinds of new biocompatible polyesters (PIGB, PIGH) and polyester-amide (PIGA) comprising biodegradable components (L-glutamic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol and 6-amino hexanol) and ibuprofen as pendant group have been prepared by the melting polycondensation. The chemical structures of the monomer and polymers are characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR spectrum, GPC, and contact angle measurements. The drug loading of ibuprofen reaches very high level (35–37%) for PIGB, PIGH, and PIGA carriers. The free ibuprofen molecules are released in vitro from polymer carriers in a controlled manner without a burst release, different from the release pattern observed in the other drug-encapsulated systems. It is also found that the different hydrophilicity among PIGB, PIGH, and PIGA plays a key role in the time-controlled release of ibuprofen. In addition, the viability of HeLa cells after 48 h of incubation reaches more than 100%, indicating no cytotoxicity for PIGB, PIGH, and PIGA carriers.