Release of theophylline from polymer blend hydrogels

Polymer blending is a simple yet attractive method to obtain combined physical and mechanical properties of polymers. In this paper, three types of blend hydrogels were prepared, each by physically blending two different natural polymers, and a model drug, theophylline (TPH), was immobilized into these hydrogels for the studies of drug release. The release profiles of TPH from various types of hydrogels were determined by UV-vis absorption measurement at 272 nm. The experimental results show that the releases of TPH from these hydrogels are dependent upon the composition of the hydrogel, the type of component, the possible interactions between two component polymers, as well as external temperature. All the release profiles clearly demonstrate a temperature effect. Among the three blend hydrogels, the slowest release was observed from the blend hydrogel of gelatin and agar with a weight ratio of 1:1. The drug release patterns and release mechanisms have been discussed by considering the possible molecular interactions and gel network structures.