In vivo assessment of parenteral formulations of oligo(3-hydroxybutyric Acid) conjugates with the model compound Ibuprofen.

Polymer-drug conjugates have gained significant attention as pro-drugs releasing an active substance as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis in physiological environment. In this study, a conjugate of 3-hydroxybutyric acid oligomers with a carboxylic acid group-bearing model drug (ibuprofen) was evaluated in vivo as a potential pro-drug for parenteral administration. Two different formulations, an oily solution and an o/w emulsion were prepared and administered intramuscularly (IM) to rabbits in a dose corresponding to 40 mg of ibuprofen/kilogramme.

Synthesis and antiproliferative properties of ibuprofen-oligo(3-hydroxybutyrate) conjugates.

Synthesis of novel conjugates of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug - ibuprofen with nontoxic oligo(3-hydroxybutyrate) (OHB) is described. Presented results indicate that anionic ring-opening polymerization of (R,S)-beta-butyrolactone initiated with an alkali metal salt of (S)-(+)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid (ibuprofen) may constitute a convenient method of conjugation of selected drugs with biodegradable OHB. Furthermore using the MTT cell proliferation assay we demonstrated that ibuprofen conjugated with OHB exhibited significantly increased, as compared to free ibuprofen, potential to inhibit proliferation of HT-29 and HCT 116 colon cancer cells.