Polyanhydrides with biologically active degradation products

Abstract

Polyanhydrides which degrade into biologically active salicylates and alpha-hydroxy acids and methods of using these polyanhydrides to deliver the salicylates and alpha-hydroxy acids to a host are provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising a polyanhydride which degrades to a biologically active salicylate or alpha-hydroxy acid, said polyanhydride comprising a repeating unit having the structure of Formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring and R is —Z 1 —R 1 —Z 1 — substituted on each Ar ortho to the anhydride group, wherein R 1  is a difunctional organic moiety and Z 1  is a difunctional moiety selected from the group consisting of esters, amides, urethanes, carbamates and carbonates; or the structure of Formula (III):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is an alkylene group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, —(CH 2 ) x — wherein x is from 1 to 20, or  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein x is from 1 to 20 and Z 1  and Z 2  are OH so that the R group contains from 1 to 40 hydroxyl groups.  
     
     
         2 . A method of delivering a salicylate to a host comprising administering to a host a composition of  claim 1  wherein the polyanhydride comprises Formula (I).  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the composition is administered topically.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the composition is topically administered to the host to treat a skin disorder selected from the group consisting of acne, dandruff, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis of the skin and scalp, calluses, corns, common warts and plantar warts.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the composition is topically administered to a host to prevent microbial infection.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the host is an animal and the composition is topically applied as an antiseptic to a wound, ulcer or skin abscess.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the host is a plant.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the composition is administered to the host so that the salicylate can act as an anti-oxidant thereby neutralizing free radicals.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the composition is administered to treat viral infections.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the composition is administered to inhibit UV-induced signal transduction and development of skin cancer.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the composition is administered to prevent blood clotting.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the composition is administered to prevent tissue injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the composition is administered topically to the eye to inhibit cataract formation.  
     
     
         14 . A method of delivering an alpha-hydroxy acid to a host comprising administering to a host a composition of  claim 1  wherein the polyanhydride comprises Formula (III).  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the composition is administered topically to promote smoother, clearer skin with less wrinkles.