Biodegradable coumaric acid-based poly(anhydride-ester) synthesis and subsequent controlled release.

To overcome drug delivery issues associated with its short half-life in vivo, p-coumaric acid (pCA), a naturally occurring bioactive, has been chemically incorporated into a poly(anhydride-ester) backbone through solution polymerization. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies indicated that pCA was successfully incorporated without noticeable alterations in structural integrity. The polymer's weight-average molecular weight and thermal properties were determined, exhibiting a molecular weight of over 26 000 Da and a glass transition temperature of 57 °C. In addition, in vitro hydrolytic release studies demonstrated pCA release over 30 d with maintained antioxidant activity, demonstrating the polymer's potential as a controlled release system.