Self-assembling gradient copolymers of vinylimidazol and (acrylic)ibuprofen with anti-inflammatory and zinc chelating properties.

Novel gradient copolymers of hydrophilic 1-vinylimidazol and hydrophobic methacrylic derivative of ibuprofen prepared by free radical polymerization are described. The heterogeneous distribution of monomeric units along the polymeric chains leads to a gradient distribution of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic sequences responsible of nanoparticles formation through a self-assembling mechanism, capable of tune the water permeation due to the ionizable imidazole moieties and their gradient profile along the macromolecules, exhibiting pH and composition dependent effect in terms of diameter, zeta potential, acid-base buffering, ibuprofen release and chelating capacities, responsible of matrix metalloproteinase dysfunction showing anti-inflammatory activity in a nitric oxide inhibition assay.