Hydroxy fatty acid based polyanhydride as drug delivery system: Synthesis, characterization, in vitro degradation, drug release, and biocompatibility

Low molecular weight hydroxy fatty acid based polyanhydrides were synthesized by one pot method, a variable of typical melt‐condensation and characterized by FTIR, NMR, DSC, and GPC. Polymer degrades by both surface and bulk erosion as trailed by weight loss, anhydride loss and surface morphology. Control over drug release was accessed with drugs featuring different aqueous solubility, that is, methotrexate (hydrophobic) and 5‐fluorouracil (hydrophilic). Effect of loading, at 5, 10, and 20% w/w of methotrexate on release profiles was also studied and negligible effect was discovered. Biocompatibility of polymers was evaluated in SD rats after SC injection of the polymer. Histopathology revealed initial inflammation of the tissues near the injection site however healed with time. Overall, these polymers were found good to control the release of the entrapped drug and were found biocompatible in preliminary in vivo study. Due to their low melting temperatures they can be injected locally (SC or intratumorally) to from regional in situ depot and have a great potential as a drug carrier for localized delivery of anticancer drugs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008