Controlled release of water soluble antibiotics by carboxymethylcellulose- And gelatin-based hydrogels crosslinked with epichlorohydrin
Résumé
Hydrogels based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and gelatin (GEL) crosslinked with epichlorohydrin in alkaline environment are polymeric interpenelrated-interconnected network materials, designed for obtaining controlled release polymer-drug systems. CMC and GEL are chosen due to their biocompatibility and non-toxicity - compulsory conditions for the polymers used in biomedical applications. By modifying the parameters of the crosslinking reaction, the obtained networks present different crosslinking degrees and hence different swelling capacities, properties determining the quantity of the drug to be included. Hydrogels with the highest swelling degree were loaded with water soluble drugs (chloramphenicol - sodium hemisuccinate, CIPh). We have thus obtained systems with diffusioncontrolled release, with zero-order kinetics during most of the release period. These systems prove a high bactericide activity, comparable to that of free drugs.