Cyclodextrin/dextran based hydrogels prepared by cross-linking with sodium trimetaphosphate.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Hydrogels are versatile biomaterials with applications in drug delivery.
• Beta-cyclodextrin (βCD) possesses unique inclusion complexation properties beneficial for drug encapsulation.
• Developing novel, non-toxic hydrogel systems is crucial for advanced therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel βCD-based hydrogels using a non-toxic crosslinking agent.
• To investigate the influence of βCD content on hydrogel properties, including swelling and crosslinking.
• To evaluate the loading and release capabilities of these hydrogels for potential drug delivery applications.

Main Methods:

• Hydrogel synthesis via straightforward mixing of βCD, dextran, and sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) in basic aqueous media.
• Characterization using swelling measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((31)P NMR).
• Assessment of loading and release kinetics for model compounds (methylene blue and benzophenone).

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of βCD-based hydrogels incorporating dextran and phosphate groups.
• Swelling ratio correlated with phosphate content (polyelectrolyte character) and inversely with βCD content (reduced crosslinking).
• Demonstrated loading capacity and controlled release of model compounds via electrostatic and inclusion complex interactions.

Conclusions:

• Novel, non-toxic βCD-based hydrogels were successfully synthesized.
• Hydrogel swelling and network structure are tunable by adjusting βCD and phosphate content.
• These hydrogels show promise for drug delivery due to their versatile interaction mechanisms and release profiles.