In Vitro Degradation and Cytotoxicity Response of Biobased Nanoparticles Prepared by Thiol-ene Polymerization in Miniemulsion

Biodegradability is a key feature for the application of polymeric devices in medicine. This study reports an experimental and theoretical study of the degradation of poly(thioether-ester) (PTEe) nanoparticles in aqueous media. The α,ω-diene diester derived from vegetable oil, 1,3-propylene diundeca-10-polenoate (Pd10e), was used as monomer in the solvent-free synthesis of Pd10e-based nanoparticles (A-PTEe nanoparticles) via thiol-ene miniemulsion polymerization. The theoretical partition coefficients of A-PTEe and a PTEe based on dianhydro-d-glucityl diundec-10-enoate (DGU) (B-PTEe nanoparticles) were calculated using density functional theory (DFT), in order to compare their degradation behavior. The results showed that A-PTEe is more hydrophilic than B-PTEe, thus indicating the possible faster degradation of the former. The experimental degradation studies showed that, in fact, A-PTEe nanoparticles are faster degraded than B-PTEe, presenting substantial molecular weight decrease, which confirms the theoretical results. The effects of degradation could be observed in the chemical composition and thermal properties of the polymer. Considering its applicability potential as a biomaterial due to its fast degradation behavior, the cytotoxicity of A-PTEe nanoparticles and its degradation products were evaluated. In vitro assays confirmed the biocompatibility of A-PTEe nanoparticles and its degradation products when exposed on fibroblasts and red blood cells. These results suggest A-PTEe nanoparticles can be promising candidates as biobased nanocarriers for biomedical applications.