Herein we present the synthesis of a polymeric prodrug nanomaterial capable of spontaneous, self-assembled nanoparticle formation and of the conjugation (encapsulation) of drugs with amino and/or carboxyl and/or hydroxyl groups via ester and/or amide linkage. Mitomycin C (MMC) a versatile drug with antibiotic, antibacterial and antineoplastic properties, was used to prove this concept. The in vitro drug release experiments showed a fast release for the pure MMC (k = 49.59 h-n); however, a significantly lower MMC dissolution rate (k = 2.25, 1.46, and 1.35 h-n) was obtained for the nanoparticles with increased cross-link density (3, 10, 21%). The successful modification and conjugation reactions were confirmed using FTIR and EDX measurements, while the mucoadhesive properties of the self-assembled particles synthesized in a simple one-pot reaction were proved by rheological measurement. The prepared biocompatible polymeric prodrugs are very promising and applicable as a drug delivery system (DDS) and useful in the area of cancer treatment.
Keywords: Mitomycin; modified PVA; mucoadhesive properties; prolonging/adjusted drug release; self-assembled polymeric particle formation.