In order to provide novel polymeric biomaterials for chemotherapeutic purposes, in this paper we described the synthesis and the characterization of the physicochemical properties of a betulin-based polyanhydride exhibiting anti-cancer effects. The polyanhydride was obtained by a melt polycondensation of a disuccinate betulin (3,28-di-O-succinyl betulin), and was thoroughly characterized through ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, correlation spectroscopy, heteronuclear single quantum correlation, size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and FT-IR spectroscopy. It was confirmed, that the obtained polyanhydride undergoes hydrolytic degradation, releasing disuccinate betulin as a degradation product. Polyanhydride of a disuccinate betulin was tested for cytostatic activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, A-549, U-87MG, KB and HepG2), proving its efficiency in inhibiting the growth of selected cancer cells. To realize the concept of an easily administrated drug release system, polyanhydride was fabricated in a form of micro- (1–30 μm) and nanospheres (∼400 nm) by using an emulsion solvent evaporation method. The micro- and nanospheres were characterized by SEM.

In the course of this study, a series of novel, biodegradable polyanhydrides based on betulin disuccinate and dicarboxylic derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) were prepared by two-step polycondensation. These copolymers can be used as carriers in drug delivery systems, in the form of microspheres. Betulin and its derivatives exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activity, including cytotoxic activity, which makes them promising substances for use as therapeutic agents. Microspheres that were prepared from betulin based polyanhydrides show promising properties for use in application in drug delivery systems, including inhalation systems. The obtained copolymers release the active substance—betulin disuccinate—as a result of hydrolysis under physiological conditions. The use of a poly(ethylene glycol) derivative as a co-monomer increases the solubility and bioavailability of the obtained compounds. Microspheres with diameters in the range of 0.5–25 µm were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method and their physicochemical and aerodynamic properties were analyzed. The morphological characteristics of the microspheres depended on the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segment within the structure of polyanhydrides. The porosity of the particles depended on the amount and molecular weight of the PEG used and also on the speed of homogenization. The most porous particles were obtained from polyanhydrides containing 20% wt. of PEG 600 by using a homogenization speed of 18,000 rpm.

This paper describes the preparation and characterization of polymer-drug systems based on polymeric microspheres obtained from poly(betulin disuccinate-co-sebacic acid). The active compound that was coupled to the betulin-based carriers was rifampicin (RIF), an ansamycin drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Poly(betulin disuccinate-co-sebacic acid) microspheres were prepared using a solvent evaporation technique from copolymers obtained by polycondensation of betulin disuccinate (DBB) and sebacic acid (SEB). The content of sebacic acid in the copolymers was 20, 40, 60 and 80 wt%, respectively. Small and large rifampicin-loaded microspheres were obtained for each of the copolymers. The initial amount of drug was 10, 30 or 50 wt%, based on the weight of the polymer. Particles obtained in this study were round in shape with diameter in the range of 2–21 μm and of orange to red colour originating from rifampicin. The RIF encapsulation efficacy varied from 7% to 33%. Drug loading varied from 2% to 13% and increased at a higher RIF ratio. The highest degree of drug loading was observed for large particles, in which the initial amount of drug (at the particle preparation stage) was 50 wt%. Microspheres prepared from betulin-based polyanhydrides may have significant applications in drug delivery systems. The concentration of loaded drug was enough to obtain bactericidal effects against reference S. Aureus ATCC 25923 bacteria.

Numerous hydrogels made of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and various cross-linkers have been explored, but only limited data on hydrogels made of γ-PGA and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are available. In this study, γ-PGA, a biodegradable and edible biopolyamide, was successfully cross-linked with selected PEGs to obtain a series of hydrogels. The swelling behaviour of these hydrogels was investigated under various pH conditions. It was also found that the structure of the cross-linker (linear or branched) affected the hydrogels’ swelling behaviour. In addition, in disc diffusion assay, hydrogel discs loaded with antibiotic were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Prolonged activity of hydrogels loaded with antibiotics in comparison to paper discs containing antibiotics was observed. Moreover, the protective effect of hydrogels on entrapped probiotic cells subjected to low pH was investigated. The hydrogel swelling ratio and amount influenced the survival rate of the protected bacteria. Considering potential biomedical applications of hydrogels, cytotoxicity was evaluated towards two cell lines, MSTO and PANC 1.

This paper describes studies on the preparation of an o–cresol–furfural–formaldehyde resin in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and its modification with n-butanol or 2-ethylhexanol. The novelty of this research is to obtain a furfural-based resin of the resole type and its etherification. Such resins are not described in the literature and also are not available on the market. The obtained resin based on furfural, which can be obtained from agricultural waste, had a low minimum content of free o–cresol < 1 wt.%, furfural < 0.1 wt.%, and formaldehyde < 0.1 wt.%. The resin structure was characterized by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy, which showed the presence of hydroxymethylene groups in the resin before modification and alkyl groups derived from n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol after modification. The etherified resins had a lower viscosity and were more flexible (DSC) than the resin before modification and they can be used as an environmentally friendly, safe, and sustainable alternative to traditional phenol–formaldehyde resins in the paint industry. They demonstrate the ability to create a protective coating with good adherence to metal substrates and an excellent balance of flexibility and hardness.

The paper describes synthesis and the characterization of novel biodegradable betulin-based polyanhydrides, exhibiting anti-cancer activity. Polyanhydrides were obtained by a melt polycondensation of a disuccinate betulin (3,28-di-O-succinyl betulin) and sebacic acid with the use of acetic anhydride. Mentioned polyanhydrides were then thoroughly characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and FT-IR spectroscopy. The content of sebacic acid in obtained copolymers was from 20 to 80 wt%. The use of sebacic acid as a comonomer increases the crystallinity of polymers. Under physiological conditions copolymers undergo hydrolytic degradation to betulin disuccinate, whose biological activity is known and confirmed and to sebacic acid approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in drug delivery systems. Polyanhydrides were also tested for cytostatic activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines (HeLa, A-549, U-87MG, KB and HepG2), proving its efficiency in inhibiting the growth of selected cell lines. Obtained polymers can be used as carriers in drug delivery system, in form of microspheres. Microspheres with diameter within the range of D_n = 15–30 µm were prepared by using emulsion (O/W) solvent evaporation method.