Cryogels are macroporous hydrogels prepared by cryo-gelation: a green technique that involves radical polymerization using water as a solvent. This method generates an interconnected pore structure that confers to material sponge-like properties. For this peculiarity, cryogels can be used as drug delivery platforms [1]. Due to their hydrophobic cavity, allowing the non-covalent host-guest inclusion complexation with many hydrophobic molecules, cyclodextrins are well-known and FDA-approved drug delivery carriers [2]. In this context, we report the preparation of original super-macroporous cryogels starting from HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and acrylic or styrylic functionalized α, β, or γ-cyclodextrin [3]. The macroporous structure cryogels were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in a frozen aqueous system, then purified and dried. All the materials have been extensively characterized by IR, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetry. The carriers were successfully tested for the controlled release of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal drugs in the skin for wound healing. For this purpose, the cryogels were loaded with lomefloxacin, piroxicam, and fluconazole drugs. The release of the drugs was efficiently performed in the saline buffer (pH = 7.4) and acidic solution (pH = 3), and the biocompatibility of the newly synthesized sponges was assessed over human fibroblasts. The system has several advantages: it is low cost, environmentally friendly, and has high stability and great versatility since it can be applied to several drugs.

Cyclodextrin-Based Cryogels for Controlled Drug Delivery

Chiara Zagni
;
Giusy Curcuruto;Tommaso Mecca;Sabrina Carroccio
Supervision
2022

Abstract

Cryogels are macroporous hydrogels prepared by cryo-gelation: a green technique that involves radical polymerization using water as a solvent. This method generates an interconnected pore structure that confers to material sponge-like properties. For this peculiarity, cryogels can be used as drug delivery platforms [1]. Due to their hydrophobic cavity, allowing the non-covalent host-guest inclusion complexation with many hydrophobic molecules, cyclodextrins are well-known and FDA-approved drug delivery carriers [2]. In this context, we report the preparation of original super-macroporous cryogels starting from HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and acrylic or styrylic functionalized α, β, or γ-cyclodextrin [3]. The macroporous structure cryogels were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in a frozen aqueous system, then purified and dried. All the materials have been extensively characterized by IR, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetry. The carriers were successfully tested for the controlled release of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal drugs in the skin for wound healing. For this purpose, the cryogels were loaded with lomefloxacin, piroxicam, and fluconazole drugs. The release of the drugs was efficiently performed in the saline buffer (pH = 7.4) and acidic solution (pH = 3), and the biocompatibility of the newly synthesized sponges was assessed over human fibroblasts. The system has several advantages: it is low cost, environmentally friendly, and has high stability and great versatility since it can be applied to several drugs.
2022
Istituto per i Polimeri, Compositi e Biomateriali - IPCB - Sede Secondaria di Catania
Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare - ICB - Sede Secondaria Catania
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
msf-14-00150.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Cyclodextrin-Based Cryogels for Controlled Drug Delivery
Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 195.11 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
195.11 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14243/466788
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact