Molecular motion of drugs in hydrocolloids measured by electron paramagnetic resonance

The effects of a polymer, the Li-salt copolymer of methylmethacrylic acid, and its methyl ester on the motion of drug molecules in hydrocolloids were studied. The investigation was carried out by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) using the model nitroxide tempol, and the spin-labeled drugs lidocaine (sl-lid) and dexamethasone (sl-dex). Synthesis of sl-dex was performed. Spin-labeled molecules dissolved in hydrocolloids undergo a fast reorientation motion. The decreasing order of rotational correlation times (tau)--sl-dex greater than sl-lid greater than tempol--suggests that the size and the shape of the molecules strongly affect their motion. The inhibition of motion of larger molecules depends also on their flexibility. The tau values indicate proportionality of the microviscosity of hydrocolloids to the polymer concentration. Rotational motion is dependent on the local environment conditioned by the free spaces between polymer molecules.