Soft Biodegradable Elastomers Based on Poly (Octanediol-Tartarate) for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering: Synthesis, Characterization and Biocompatibility Studies

Abstract

The synthesis, characterization and cytocompatibility of amorphous poly (octanediol-tartarate) thermoset biodegradable elastomeric polyesters are reported. The synthesis was achieved by preparing an aliphatic saturated polyester prepolymer via polycondensation reaction of L-tartaric acid with 1,8 Octanediol which was then thermally crosslinked with different ratios of the crosslinking agent, 2,2-bis(ϵ-caprolactone-yl)-propane to form an elastomer. The prepared prepolymers were characterized by means of FT-IR, 1H-NMR, GPC, and DSC. The thermal properties, mechanical characteristics, the sol content, in vitro degradation of the prepared elastomers and their cytocompatibility were also reported. The mechanical and degradation properties of this new elastomer can be controlled by manipulating the elastomer crosslinking density upon varying the ratio of prepolymers to the crosslinking agent. The controllable mechanical properties, homogenous degradability of the prepared elastomers, and their biocompatibility make them good candidates for use in controlled delivery of drugs and in other biomedical and tissue engineering applications.