From formulation of acrylamide-based hydrogels to their optimization for drug release using response surface...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Hydrogels are versatile polymeric networks with significant applications in drug delivery and biomedical fields.
• Developing advanced hydrogel composites with tailored properties is crucial for improving their performance.
• Acrylamide-based hydrogels modified with nanoparticles offer potential for enhanced functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize modified acrylamide-based hydrogels incorporating magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles.
• To investigate the impact of MgO nanoparticles on the swelling behavior of acrylamide hydrogels.
• To optimize hydrogel preparation variables and drug release conditions using response surface methodology (RSM).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of acrylamide-based hydrogels via crosslinking polymerization with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) and MgO nanoparticles.
• Utilizing N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine and ammonium persulfate as initiators.
• Employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD) to optimize preparation and analyze drug release.

Main Results:

• Nano composites containing MgO demonstrated a significantly higher swelling ratio compared to pure acrylamide hydrogels.
• RSM analysis identified optimal conditions for hydrogel preparation and drug release.
• Maximum drug release was predicted at 37.50°C and pH 4.10 with 0.01 g MgO and 0.1 g NaCMC.

Conclusions:

• Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a suitable nanoparticle for enhancing the swelling capacity of acrylamide-based hydrogels.
• The developed hydrogel composites show promise for controlled drug delivery applications.
• Optimization using RSM effectively determined the key parameters influencing hydrogel properties and drug release kinetics.