Cross-linking polymerization of beta-cyclodextrin with acrylic monomers; characterization and study of drug carrier properties

beta-cyclodextrin-based novel pH-responsive hydrogels were prepared by grafting 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid (AMPS) and methacrylic acid (MAA) through free radical polymerization technique using N,N '-methylene-bis-acrylamide as cross-linker for the controlled drug delivery. Captopril was loaded as a model drug. The influence of acrylamide sulphonate and methacrylate-modified beta-cyclodextrin was investigated on the properties of preformed hydrogels. FTIR, TGA, DSC, SEM and Sol-gel fraction analysis were performed for the characterization of these polymeric composites. pH-responsive properties of beta-CD-co-poly (AMPS) and beta-CD-co-poly (MAA) hydrogels were studied by evaluating swelling dynamics at different pH. FTIR, TGA and DSC analysis confirmed the formation of new polymeric network. beta-CD-co-poly (MAA) gels with less monomeric contents showed maximum swelling, drug loading and release at pH 7.4, while beta-CD-co-poly (AMPS) hydrogels exhibited pH independent swelling and drug release was observed maximum at pH 7.4. Sol-gel analysis showed increase in gel fraction on increasing beta-cyclodextrin, AMPS and MAA contents. Results indicated non-Fickian release of captopril from beta-CD-based-hydrogel. Thereby, concluding that beta-cyclodextrin properties can be functionalized differently by cross-linking with different monomers, moreover, it forms stable polymeric network with both monomers. Polymeric hydrogels with such excellent mouldable modalities can be effectively employed as carrier system for the controlled drug delivery.