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Published on: February 13, 2016
KGM and PMAA based pH-sensitive interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel for controlled drug release
Qi Xu1, Weijuan Huang, Linbin Jiang
1Key Laboratory of Green Processing and Function Texiles of New Materials of Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Science and Engineering, Wuhan 430073, China.
Researchers developed a novel biodegradable hydrogel from konjac glucomannan (KGM) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA). This pH-sensitive material shows promise for colon-specific drug delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a natural polysaccharide with potential for biomaterial applications.
- Developing stimuli-responsive hydrogels is crucial for targeted drug delivery.
- Biodegradable polymers offer advantages in biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize sequential interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels.
- To investigate the pH-sensitive swelling behavior of KGM/PMAA IPN hydrogels.
- To evaluate the potential of these IPN hydrogels for colon-specific drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Sequential IPN hydrogels were fabricated using konjac glucomannan (KGM) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA).
- Methacrylic acid (MAA) monomer and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAAm) cross-linker were polymerized within a pre-formed KGM gel.
- Swelling behavior and in vitro drug release of 5-fluorouracil were studied under varying pH conditions.
Main Results:
- The synthesized IPN hydrogels exhibited pH-sensitive swelling behavior.
- The degree of swelling could be tuned by adjusting the KGM/PMAA ratio and PMAA cross-linking density.
- The KGM component demonstrated biodegradability via β-glycosidase.
- Drug release studies indicated potential for colon-specific delivery.
Conclusions:
- Biodegradable, pH-sensitive KGM/PMAA IPN hydrogels were successfully prepared.
- These hydrogels demonstrate tunable swelling and controlled drug release properties.
- The developed IPN hydrogels are promising candidates for colon-specific drug delivery systems.
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