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 ester bonds to aromatic moieties, specifically salicylic acid--the active component of aspirin. With the medicinal properties attributed to salicylic acid and the ease of metabolism, the incorporation of this compound into a polymer backbone yields a polymeric prodrug that may have potential in a variety of applications (i.e., inflammatory bowel disease). For these reasons, we have designed a synthetic scheme that yields the desired poly(anhydride-ester). The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of these polymers has been performed and results indicate that the polymer degradation rate is pH-dependent.