Investigation of the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity associated with ROP initiator and its role in bulk polymerization of l-lactide

Abstract

Poly (l-lactide) (PLLA) is one of the most attractive polymers for use in biomedical applications. In such applications it is necessary to reduce the use of toxic chemicals and catalysts used in PLLA synthesis, to minimize any adverse effects. In view of this, we have performed ring opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide (LA) using biocompatible initiator, namely, Zinc l-Proline (ZnP) in bulk. High molecular weight PLLA (Mw up to 1.45 × 105 Da) was obtained using the ZnP complex. The ZnP complex is safe, easy to prepare, store and handle. 1H and 13C NMR spectra of PLLA were used to determine the extent of monomer conversion and stereo sequence respectively. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) were used to determine thermal properties, Mn, Mw and polydispersity index respectively. The mechanism of ROP of LA in the presence of ZnP was studied using Density Functional Theory (DFT) which was in good agreement with results from 1H NMR and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). Biocompatibility/non toxicity of PLLA prepared using ZnP was studied in-vitro using MTT assay by examining the proliferation rate of mouse myoblast C2C12 cell line. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used for the study of antibacterial activity of PLLA.