Microparticles for Drug Delivery Based on Functional Polycaprolactones with Enhanced Degradability: Loading of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Active Compounds
1. Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen and DWI an der RWTH Aachen e.V., Pauwelsstr. 8, 52074 Aachen, Germany;2. Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Rostock, Friedrich‐Barnewitz‐Stra?e 4, 18119 Rostock, Germany
Abstract:
Microparticle drug carriers made of biodegradable functional polyesters were produced. The polyesters consist of a poly(ε‐caprolactone) backbone bearing pendant acryloyloxy and methacryloyloxy groups. Stable microparticles were prepared via an oil/water emulsion‐solvent evaporation technique eventually combined with a simultaneous crosslinking procedure. Crosslinked particles were obtained via photo‐crosslinking and Michael type addition using diamines as crosslinking agents. Encapsulation of a hydrophobic fluorescent dye and a hydrophilic protein, as model drugs, were performed and confirmed by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The presence of the functional groups allow for not only the tuning of the degradation rate, but also for further processing and (bio)functionalization.
