Oxidative Biodegradation of Dacarbazine-Containing Composite Materials Based on Hydrophilic Polyurethane Urea under Model Conditions of the Inflammatory Process

Abstract:

This study investigates the biodegradability of composite materials containing dacarbazine (DAC), synthesized from hydrophilic polyurethane-ureas (PUUs) incorporating fragments of 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DADPh) and a poly(vinyl alcohol)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PVA-PEG) graft copolymer under simulated inflammatory conditions mimicking blood contact. Biodegradability was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Transmission Optical Microscopy (TOM) by analyzing changes in the structural, mechanical, thermophysical properties, and composite surface morphology after 1, 3, and 6 months of incubation in Fenton’s reagent. The results revealed that DAC-containing composites undergo surface structural rearrangements characterized by alterations in hydrogen bonding and partial cleavage of chemical bonds under oxidative conditions. These findings confirm that PUU-based DAC composites containing DADPh and PVA-PEG fragments are susceptible to oxidative degradation in Fenton’s reagent. The biodegradability of these materials ensures controlled DAC release during progressive polymer matrix degradation, highlighting their potential as temporary implantable systems for localized delivery of the antitumor agent DAC.

• Periodical: Journal of Biomimetics, Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (Volume 73)
• Pages: 33-49
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-fNQL1h
• Online since: July 2026
• Authors: Tetiana Vislohuzova*, Rita Rozhnova, Tetiana Kiselova, Galyna Kozlova
• Keywords: Composite Material, Dacarbazine, Fenton's Reagent, Oxidative Biodegradation, Polyurethane-Urea, Polyvinyl Alcohol-Polyethylene Glycol Graft Copolymer

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