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Functionalized chitosan/NIPAM (HEMA) hybrid polymer networks as inserts for ocular drug delivery: Synthesis, in vitro assessment, and in vivo evaluation

✍ Scribed by Liliana Verestiuc; Oana Nastasescu; Eugen Barbu; Indrajeetsinh Sarvaiya; Keith L. Green; John Tsibouklis


Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
2006
Tongue
English
Weight
537 KB
Volume
77A
Category
Article
ISSN
1549-3296

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✦ Synopsis


Abstract

A series of hybrid polymeric hydrogels, prepared by the reaction of acrylic acid‐functionalized chitosan with either N‐isopropylacrylamide or 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomers, were synthesized, pressed into minitablets, and investigated for their ability to act as controlled release vehicles for ophthalmic drug delivery. For comparison, interpolymeric complex analogues synthesized using the same monomers and pure, unfunctionalized chitosan were examined by means of an identical characterization protocol. The effects of network structure and composition upon the swelling properties, adhesion behavior, and drug release characteristics were investigated. Comparative in vitro studies employing chloramphenicol, atropine, norfloxacin, or pilocarpine informed the selection of drug‐specific carrier compositions for the controlled delivery of these compounds. In addition, in vivo (rabbit model) experiments involving the delivery of pilocarpine indicated that chitosan‐based hybrid polymer networks containing 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate are useful carriers for the delivery of this therapeutic agent. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2006