Physicomechanical and antimicrobial characteristics of hydrogel based on poly(vinyl alcohol): Performance improvement via inclusion of chitosan-modified nanoclay

The effect of a chitosan-modified nanoclay (CMNC) on the physical, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels prepared by the electron beam irradiation method is reported in comparison with pristine nanoclay (PNC). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirm that the chitosan modification process of nanoclay led to an enhancement in the clay gallery spacing. The inclusion of nanoclays in the PVA matrix decreased the gel content while it increased the swelling degree of the hydrogels. Both PNC and CMNC played a role, depending on their amounts, in swelling of the hydrogel. The swelling kinetic studies revealed a diffusion-controlled swelling process. The diffusion coefficient of water molecules in hydrogels was decreased in the presence of PNC, while it increased with CMNC. Rheological investigations verified the influential role of nanoclays in decreasing the chemical crosslink density of the hydrogel. CMNC exhibited a higher reinforcing effect on hydrogel mechanical properties than PNC did, although the rheological analysis, in agreement with the XRD results, indicated a better dispersion of PNC in the PVA matrix. According to the antimicrobial tests, perfect inhibition of bacteria growth was obtained only for the hydrogels with CMNC. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47444.     

Effect of poly(ethylene glycol)-derived crosslinkers on the properties of thermosensitive hydrogels

Three crosslinkers, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), glycerol ethoxylate triacrylate (GETA) and citric acid-(PEG acrylate)₃ (CA-PEGTA) derived from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized at first. The three series of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were prepared by photopolymerization with the crosslinkers and compared with a hydrogel based on commercial crosslinker, N,N′-methylene bis-acrylamide (NMBA). The influence of the crosslinker structures and contents on the swelling behaviour, mechanical properties, and drug release of the hydrogels was investigated. The results showed that the hydrogels based on PEGDA and NMBA exhibited the highest and the lowest swelling ratio, respectively. The content of crosslinker of all hydrogel series showed good thermosensitivity and thermo-reversibility. The critical gel transition temperature (CGTT) appeared at 32 °C for the hydrogel based on NMBA, but appeared at about 34 °C for other hydrogels due to higher hydrophilicity of the crosslinker. In the mechanical properties, three-arms crosslinker GETA and CA-PEGTA led to higher mechanical strength than a linear crosslinker PEGDA. A hydrogel based on GETA (NG6) showed the highest shear modulus of 656.9 kPa and Young’s modulus of 1655.0 kPa. The hydrogels containing higher content of crosslinker revealed lower swelling ratio and higher mechanical strength. In the drug release, the hydrogels with higher swelling ratios showed higher drug absorbed. The highest release percentage of caffeine and vitamin B12 for hydrogel based on PEGDA (NP6) could reach 68.3% and 75.4%, respectively. In addition, the bound water and toxicity of the hydrogels were also investigated.

     

Preparation of poly(acrylic acid)/linseed mucilage/chitosan hydrogel for ketorolac release

Studies of smart and biocompatible hydrogels have resulted in the development of efficient drug-delivery systems controlled by external stimuli. Taking inadequate doses of ketorolac could cause health complications in humans. Therefore, it is necessary the development of a polymeric matrix for controlled drug delivery to extend the release of Ketorolac. In this work, acrylic acid was polymerized using ammonium persulfate as initiator and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linking agent, and in the presence of chitosan (Chit) and linseed mucilage (LS) biopolymers to obtain a composite of PAAc/LS/Chit hydrogel which was used for adsorption and release of ketorolac. Hydrogel was characterized by cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of pH on water hydrogel swelling percentage (S), water absorption percentage (W), and ketorolac-releasing kinetics were studied. SEM analysis showed hydrogel pore size pH-depending, with micropore diameters ranging between 5 and 10 nm at acidic pH, while for the hydrogel swollen at pH = 9, bigger pores are observed in the range of 30 to 50 nm. It was observed that S and W increased with the pH of the medium with an S of 608% at a pH of 9 following a Fickian behavior of water diffusion into the hydrogel pore and swelling kinetics represented by a second-order model. Ketorolac kinetic release was well described through the Korsmeyer-Peppas mathematical model, with the release rate increasing with the pH, extending the total release time of drug to 20 h.     

Dual‐responsive semi‐interpenetrating network beads based on calcium alginate/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/poly(sodium acrylate) for sustained drug release

To improve the mechanical strength of natural hydrogels and to obtain a sustained drug‐delivery device, temperature‐/pH‐sensitive hydrogel beads composed of calcium alginate (Ca‐alginate) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were prepared in the presence of poly(sodium acrylate) (PAANa) with ultrahigh molecular weight (M_η ≥ 1.0 × 10⁷) as a strengthening agent. The influence of PAANa content on the properties, including the beads stability, swelling, and drug‐release behaviors, of the hydrogels was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy and oscillation experiments were used to analyze the structure and mechanical stability of the hydrogel beads, respectively. The results show that stability of the obtained Ca‐alginate/PNIPAAm hydrogel beads strengthened by PAANa the alginate/poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogel bead (SANBs) was significantly improved compared to that of the beads without PAANa (NANBs) at pH 7.4. The swelling behavior and drug‐release capability of the SANBs were markedly dependent on the PAANa content and on the environmental temperature and pH. The bead sample with a higher percentage of PAANa exhibited a lower swelling rate and slower drug release. The drug release profiles from SANBs were further studied in simulated intestinal fluid, and the results demonstrated here suggest that SANBs could serve as a potential candidate for controlled drug delivery in vivo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Swelling behaviour and paracetamol release from poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-itaconic acid) hydrogels

Copolymer hydrogels of N-isopropylacrylamide and itaconic acid (IA), crosslinked with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, were prepared by radical copolymerization. These hydrogels were investigated with regard to their composition to find materials with satisfactory swelling and drug release properties. A paracetamol is used as a model drug to investigate drug release profile of the hydrogels. It was found that the investigated hydrogels exhibited pH- and temperature-dependent swelling behaviour with restricted swelling and lower equilibrium degree of swelling at lower pH values and temperatures above the LCST value of PNIPAM (around 34 °C). The diffusion exponent for paracetamol release indicate that the mechanism of paracetamol release are governed by Fickian diffusion, while in all release media initial diffusion coefficient was lower than late time diffusion coefficient. Furthermore, the paracetamol release rate depends on the hydrogel degree of swelling and it increased in the first stage of diffusion process, whereas was no significant difference thereafter. The presence of the IA moieties incorporated into the network weakened the shear resistance of the hydrogels. In order to calculate the pore size the characteristic ratio for PNIPAM, C _n  = 11.7, was calculated. Based on the pore size, the investigated hydrogels can be regarded as microporous. According to the obtained results swelling behaviour, mechanical properties, drug-loading capacity and the drug release rate could be controlled by hydrogel composition and crosslinking density, which is important for application of the investigated hydrogels as drug delivery systems.     

Synthesis and controlled release of curcumin-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex from nanocomposite poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/sodium alginate) hydrogels

Inclusion complex of curcumin with β-cyclodextrin (Cur-β-CD) was prepared using coprecipitation method. Stoichiometric ratio between curcumin and β-cyclodextrin was found to be 1:2 with an association constant of 3.80 × 10⁸ M⁻² using Benesi–Hildebrand method. Inclusion complex formation was confirmed by FTIR and DSC analyses. Water solubility of curcumin increased from 0.00122 to 0.721 mg mL⁻¹ with the inclusion complex formation. Release of the inclusion complex from the nanocomposite and conventional poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/sodium alginate hydrogels crosslinked by nanoclay and N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (BIS), respectively, were investigated in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Swelling ratio and cumulative release were dependent on the hydrogel composition and pH. At pH = 1.2, hydrogels showed the lowest release ratio, but at pH = 6.8 highest swelling ratios were attained. The swelling ratio and cumulative release decreased with increasing the nanoclay content in nanocomposite hydrogels. On the contrary, as the ratio of BIS in the conventional hydrogels increased, the swelling ratio and cumulative release increased. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47554.     

Medicated wound dressings based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone)/chitosan hydrogels

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)/chitosan hydrogels were prepared by a low‐temperature treatment and subsequent ⁶⁰Co γ‐ray irradiation and then were medicated with ciprofloxacin lactate (an antibiotic) and chitosan oligomer (molecular weight = 3000 g/mol). The gel content, swelling ratio, tensile strength, and crystallinity of the hydrogels were determined. The effects of the chitosan molecular weight, the low‐temperature treatment procedure, and the radiation dosage on the hydrogel properties were examined. The molecular weight of chitosan was lowered by the irradiation, but its basic polysaccharide structure was not destroyed. Repeating the low‐temperature treatment and γ‐ray irradiation caused effective physical crosslinking and chemical crosslinking, respectively, and contributed to the mechanical strength of the final hydrogels. The incorporation of PVP and chitosan resulted in a significant improvement in the equilibrium swelling ratio and elongation ratio of the prepared hydrogels. The ciprofloxacin lactate and chitosan oligomer were soaked into the hydrogels. Their in vitro release behaviors were examined, and they were found to follow diffusion‐controlled kinetics. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2453–2463, 2006     

Properties of hydrogels of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol)/NaCl/H2O system and their application to drug release

In order to prepare cost‐effective physically cross‐linked hydrogels including food salt sodium chloride, samples, were prepared with various concentrations of NaCl and respective atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) (a‐PVA), and were evaluated. It had been observed that hydrogels containing NaCl concentration (9–11 wt%) along with a‐PVA concentration 9–5% respectively exhibited higher melting points (91.5–95.1 °C). A higher melting point characterizes the hydrogel composition of a system like a‐PVA(7%)/NaCl(11%)/H₂O. The swelling degree of this hydrogel was found to be comparatively better at 37 °C than at any other temperature studied here. However, irregular Fickian swelling was found at this temperature. The UV light absorption maximum at 362–364 nm and minimum at 351 nm for this hydrogel had been found as evidence of physical cross‐linking. A drug, theophylline was loaded by solvent‐sorption and feed‐mixture dissolving methods. The feed‐mixture dissolving method is better than solvent sorption because of high drug loading, comparatively low fraction release rate and more sustained‐release of drug than that of solvent‐sorption. Theophylline was released twice as fast from the hydrogel after solvent‐sorption drug loading (3 h) than from that which used the feed‐mixture dissolving method (6.5 h). Theophylline‐loaded hydrogels of this system (feed‐mixture dissolving) were then prepared at high temperature (60 °C) thawing for 6 h followed by chilling at 0.4 °C for 3 h as one cycle. And the drug release behaviour and mass transfer were found almost the same as for chilling (24 h at 0.4 °C)–thawing (48 h at room temperature). Drug release behaviour was studied as apparently irregular Fickian diffusion (Higuchi Matrix Dissolution Model). © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chitosan modified MMT‐poly(AMPS) nanocomposite hydrogel: Heating effect on swelling and rheological behavior

Vulnerability of hydrogels against thermal circumstances may be substantially eliminated via incorporating nanoclay to prepare nanocomposite hydrogels. In this research, chitosan‐intercalated montmorillonite (ChitoMMT) was used as a bionanoclay to yield novel nanocomposite hydrogels based on 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid. The bionanoclay is suitable especially for preparing biomaterials used in biomedical, food, and pharmaceutical applications, unlike conventional commercial nanoclays (alkyl ammonium‐intercalated MMT) which are not appropriate for bio‐applications due to toxicity of the intercalant particularly where the clay content is high. Two different crosslinkers (i.e., methylene bisacrylamide, and polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) were employed to synthesize the nanocomposites. The variations in swelling, rheological and thermal properties of the hydrogels were essentially attributed to thermally induced crosslink cleavage/formation depending upon the crosslinker nature. The nanocomposites comprised superior thermal properties in comparison with the clay‐free hydrogel counterpart. They can preserve substantially their swelling ability for longer heating periods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

On the preparation and swelling properties of hydrogel nanocomposite based on Sodium alginate-g-Poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/Clinoptilolite and its application as slow release fertilizer

A novel slow release fertilizer hydrogel nanocomposite was prepared via free radical polymerization of sodium alginate, acrylic acid, acrylamide, and clinoptilolite using N, N?-methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator. Evidence of grafting and component interactions was obtained by a comparison of the Fourier transform infrared spectra of the initial substrates and hydrogel without clinoptilolite with that of the hydrogel nanocomposite containing clinoptilolite. The swelling behavior of both hydrogels in solutions of various pHs (2-12) and various saline solutions such as NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂ and FeCl₃ as well as swelling kinetics were investigated. Results showed that the swelling of hydrogels depends on the solution pH value. Also, the swelling of both hydrogels in all salt solutions is significantly lower than that of the values in distilled water. After those characterizations, the potential application was verified through sorption and fertilizer releasing from the hydrogel with and without clinoptilolite zeolite. The presence of the clinoptilolite zeolite in the hydrogel caused the system to liberate the nutrient in a more controlled manner than that with the neat hydrogel. The results of the fertilizer release of hydrogel nanocomposite were also encouraging in order to find applications in agriculture. Consequently, the good slow release fertilizer property as well as the good water adsorption capacity showed that this formulation is potentially viable to be used in agriculture as a nutrient carrier vehicle.     

Diffusion and controlled release characteristics of pH-sensitive poly(2-(dimethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethylacrylate) hydrogels

The authors describe a facial development of pH-responsive hydrogels composed of 2-(dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate via free-radical polymerization at 29°C. The hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and XRD studies. The diffusional exponent (n), hydrogel network parameters such as average molecular weight between crosslinks (M_c), and polymer-solvent interaction (χ) were calculated by using swelling data. The hydrogels were encapsulated with 5-fluorouracil, the in vitro release data indicated that the maximum drug release was significantly achieved in pH 1.2 rather than in pH 7.4 and it was enhanced up to 30 h. These results suggested that the gels are highly useful for anticancer drug delivery applications.     

Synergistic effect of graphene oxide and sodium carboxymethylcellulose on the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Hydrogels are a promising candidate for applications in biomedicine and bioengineering, but their mechanical properties often restrict their applications. To improve the mechanical performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels, we introduced sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and graphene oxide (GO) into them. We prepared a series of composite hydrogels composed of PVA, CMC, and GO with epichlorohydrin as a chemical crosslinker. We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to characterize the chemical structures of GO and the hydrogel. The dynamic mechanical analysis results show the synergistic enhancement effects of CMC and GO on the PVA hydrogel. The swelling process of the hydrogels also fit well with the second-order kinetic equation. Scanning electron microscopy results suggest that the neat mesh structure facilitated superior mechanical properties in the hydrogels. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47644.     

Release of vitamin B12 from poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)‐crosslinked polyacrylamide hydrogels: A kinetic study

Hydrogels, composed of poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) and crosslinked polyacrylamide, were synthesized and the release of vitamin B₁₂ from these hydrogels was studied as a function of the degree of crosslinking and pH of the external swelling media. The three drug‐loaded hydrogel samples synthesized with different crosslinking ratios of 0.3, 0.7, and 1.2 (in mol %) follow different drug‐release mechanisms, that is, chain relaxation with zero‐order, non‐Fickian and Fickian, or diffusion‐controlled mechanisms. To establish a correlation between their swelling behavior and drug‐release mechanism, the former was studied by the weight‐gain method and, at the same time, the concentration of the drug released was studied colorimetrically. Various swelling parameters such as the swelling exponent n, gel‐characteristic constant k, penetration velocity v, and diffusion coefficient D were evaluated to reflect the quantitative aspect of the swelling behavior of these hydrogels. Finally, the drug‐release behavior of the hydrogels was explained by proposing the swelling‐dependent mechanism. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1706–1714, 2000     

Theophylline-loaded pectin-based hydrogels. II. Effect of concentration of initial pectin solution,crosslinker type and cation concentration of external solution on drug release profile

A series of drug-loaded pectin hydrogels were prepared by mixing method in two ion types, Ca⁺² or Zn⁺², for wound dressing applications and their drug release performances were investigated at pH 6.4 in four different calcium ion concentrations of external solution. Pectin hydrogels were synthesized in three different concentrations of initial pectin solution and theophylline was used as a model drug. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were used for hydrogel characterization. Additionally, fluid handling capacity, swelling behavior, dehydration rate, dispersion characteristic, dressing pH determination, water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability, surface contact angle, flexibility, mass per unit area, and thickness were determined for selected hydrogels. One of the most valuable contributions of our study is that the concentration of initial pectin solution and calcium ion concentration of external solution are very important parameters to obtain an effective drug release. After evaluating all data, we have shown that flexible and transparent pectin-based wound dressings can be synthesized as a controlled drug release system. Zinc-containing hydrogel was antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli but not suitable for cell migration. On the other hand, calcium-based hydrogel was nontoxic on the fibroblast cells and it had no negative effect on cell migration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48155.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/honey/clay responsive nanocomposite hydrogel wound dressing

Many efforts have been made to develop modern wound dressings to overcome limitations of traditional ones. Smart nanocomposite hydrogels are appropriate candidates. In this work, a novel responsive nanocomposite hydrogel based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/honey/clay was developed and evaluated as a novel wound dressing. The morphology and properties of synthesized nanocomposite hydrogels loaded with honey as a drug model were investigated. The exfoliated morphology of nanocomposite was confirmed by X‐ray diffractometry. Swelling studies were performed at 20 and 37 °C at various pH. The results showed that swelling increased as a result of temperature rise and maximum swelling occurred at a pH of 2. In vitro release of honey was also studied at the same conditions. Corresponding results indicated faster honey release rate at higher pH values. MTT results exhibited no cytotoxicity in nanocomposite hydrogel system. Investigation of antibacterial activity revealed more than 99% antibacterial activity for proposed system. In vivo results confirmed the wound healing ability of developed system. Generally, appropriate properties of proposed system made it ideal in wound dressing applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46311.     

Preparation and properties of core–shell alginate–carboxymethylchitosan hydrogels

BACKGROUND: Hydrogels of alginate (ALG) with partially carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCHI) have been produced for drug delivery, based on the interactions between the negative groups and an ionic crosslinker. In the present work, CMCHI was used to evaluate the influence of amino groups that are positively charged at pH = 4 and 6 on the ALG–CMCHI core–shell hydrogel preparation. An ANOVA statistics tool was used to evaluate the effect of composition, pH and chitosan chemical nature on the morphology and swelling properties of the hydrogels in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). RESULTS: The ALG–CMCHI core–shell hydrogels presented smaller (ca 2.3 µm) and more homogeneous microparticles than those with unmodified chitosan (ca 5.5 µm). The ALG–CMCHI hydrogels showed higher thermal stability and lower degree of swelling in SGF (314%) compared to those with chitosan (708%), since in the former hydrogels the protective layers that surround the particles are negatively charged. CONCLUSION: CMCHI can replace chitosan in the production of core–shell hydrogels with improved properties since the negative charge surrounding the ALG–CMCHI particles favours a lower degree of swelling. The results point out a possible prevention of burst release in SGF, sustaining the swelling ability of the ALG–CMCHI core–shell hydrogels in SIF, promising appropriate drug release. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis,characterization and,swelling behavior of semi‐IPN nanocomposite hydrogels of alginate with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) crosslinked by nanoclay

pH and temperature responsive nanocomposite hydrogels were synthesized with sodium alginate (NaAlg), N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA), and nanoclay. The structure, morphology, thermal behavior, and swelling and deswelling behaviors of the hydrogels were studied. The NaAlgm/PNIPA/Clayn hydrogels revealed a highly porous structure in which the pore sizes decreased and the amount of pores increased with increasing the nanoclay content in the hydrogels. PNIPA retained its own characteristics regardless of the amount of NaAlg and nanoclay. The effect of pH and nanoclay content on the swelling and effect of temperature on the deswelling behavior were investigated. The equilibrium swelling ratios of the nanocomposite hydrogels increased with increasing the pH from 2 to 6. The maximum swelling was attained at pH 6. Deswelling increased with increasing the nanoclay content in the hydrogels. The hydrogels were found to be pH and temperature responsive. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43222.     

Radiation initiated synthesis,characterization, and swelling behavior of poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/starch grafted hydrogel

The powerful waves of ultrasound are used in polymerization reactions in the absence of initiator. In the present research, the hydrogel was obtained by water-soluble acrylic monomers, starch, and the crosslinking agent of methylene bis acrylamide dissolved in water/glycerol dual. The hydrogel is formed by these waves only in viscous environments such as glycerol, heat, or initiator is not required. In the presence of ultrasound, the time of product formation is reduced to a few minutes. Moreover, the resulting hydrogels have more uniform microscopic structure and are more swollen. The structure of the grafted hydrogel was examined meanwhile the hydrogel swelling in three environments of pure water, saltwater, and under pressure was measured. It was found that the grafted hydrogel has double swelling rate in the pure. Also, after loading the ciprofloxacin into the synthesized hydrogel, this drug is released 99% in initial 20 min. 0.1 g starch in 1.5 g acrylic hydrogel has the most drug release. The high swelling capacity in the pH ranges of 5–9 shows the extension of drug application in acidic or alkaline environments, and also after several using the gel and the capacity of water absorbency, which was about 70% of its initial water, indicates the perfect reusability capacity of the gel.     

Photopolymerised thermo-responsive poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide)-based copolymer hydrogels for potential drug delivery applications

Novel thermo-sensitive N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEAAm) based copolymer hydrogels were prepared via UV-induced free radical bulk polymerisation. UV polymerisation was employed to avoid the use of potentially toxic solvents; solution polymerisation has been the most common means for the preparation of PDEAAm-based hydrogels in the literature to date. The resultant hydrogels were analysed using nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and modulated differential scanning calorimetry. Parameters such as the crosslinking degree and the nature of the incorporated hydrophilic component, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) or N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) were found to impact hydrogel structure, mechanical properties and swelling kinetics. Pulsatile swelling studies indicated that the hydrogels had thermo-reversible properties which were greatly affected by test temperature, nature of hydrophilic monomer used and crosslinker content. Aminophylline was selected as a model solute for drug loading and release studies by thermal deswelling in HCl buffer (pH 1.4) and phosphate buffer media (pH 6.8). The observed lag time prior to significant drug release from the more crosslinked P(DEAAm-NVP) hydrogels could make them suitable for delayed specific release in the intestine and potential alternatives to layers or membranes in time-specific and site-specific swelling-controlled drug delivery systems.     

Effect of network mesh size and swelling to the drug delivery from pH responsive hydrogels

pH responsive hydrogels are ideal platforms for numerous therapeutic delivery applications, including oral delivery, as they are capable of overcoming the many barriers that must be considered when creating an effective drug delivery system. Understanding of the innate hydrogel network structure and its swelling behavior at environmentally relevant conditions is vital for designing hydrogel network capable of effective controlled drug release. Herein, we explored how to expand traditional techniques of swelling and pore characterization to gain better insight into the performance of anionic microparticles composed of the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) with varying molar percentage of 10, 20, and 30 mol% of MMA, for controlled release of low-molecular-weight drugs. By evaluating these carrier systems at environmental conditions, we can observe changes in swelling and pore size of the anionic hydrogel networks as a function of MMA, which was then correlated with the release profiles of the small-molecular-weight drug sodium nitrate. With the correlation of the swelling behavior of the networks and the release profiles, we demonstrated how the expansion of swelling parameters at relevant pH values provides further incite for evaluating for the optimal blend for controlled release. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48767.