Polymeric pro-drug sutures for potential local release of salicylic acid

ABSTRACT

A polymeric pro-drug was produced by means of two-step grafting of N-vinylcaprolactam and 2-methacryloyloxy-benzoic acid (2MBA) onto polypropylene sutures, showing in vitro slow release of salicylic acid (SA). Pre-irradiation grafting method was implemented to functionalize the surface of sutures using gamma rays as starter to induce the polymerization process. 2MBA was grafted on a polymer surface to obtain a polymeric system with ability to release SA in a localized site by hydrolysis of its labile ester bond. Factors such as applied dose, reaction time, temperature reaction, and monomer concentration were analyzed to understand how it affects the grafting process. Functionalized sutures were analyzed by FTIR-ATR, thermogravimetric analysis, and DSC. The release profile study of block copolymer was carried out in a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 and 37°C; the assay was monitored by UV–vis at 296 nm; finally, molecule of released SA was identified by mass spectrometry.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• 2MBA
• gamma radiation
• grafting
• polymeric pro-drug
• PP suture
• prolonged release
• salicylic acid

Acknowledgments

The authors thank to B. Leal from ICN-UNAM for their technical assistance, J. A. Cruz-Castañeda for his help with mass spectroscopy, and Dr. Alicia Negron-Mendoza from ICN-UNAM for facilities to equipment access.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by DGAPA-UNAM under Grant IN201617.