Biodegradation and Cellular Toxicity Studies of the Poly (Ethylene Glycol)-Sebacic Acid Polymers

Poly(sebacic anhydride) was used to prepare poly(ethylene glycol)-sebacic acid polymers with carboxylic end groups and well defined molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol). They were purified and characterized by infrared spectroscopy. In vitro biodegradability studies were carried using wt% loss method on samples in the form compact discs at constant body temperature (37°C) in human plasma. The results revealed that biodegradation needed nearly three months to get 90% hydrolysis; this was defiantly attributed to the poly(ethylene glycol) molecular weight differences in the prepared polymers. Biocompatibility tests were carried out to represent in vivo biodegradation using human blood which is called cellular cytotoxicity method. All prepared polymers showed no toxicity compared to the reference control and to the toxicity of sebacoyl chloride.