SYNTHESIS OF SMART HYDROGELS BY RADIATION POLYMERISATION FOR USE AS SLOW DRUG DELIVERY DEVICES

This article deals with the modification of medicinally important psyllium polysaccharide with acrylamide through radiation crosslinked polymerisation for the design of double potential hydrogels meant for slow release of insulin. Here the double potential is due to the inherent blood sugar lowering ability of psyllium and release of insulin in controlled manner from the drug loaded hydrogels. Synthesis of hydrogels and their characterisation by scanning electron micrography (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and swelling studies have been discussed. The release dynamics of model drug insulin from the hydrogels has been studied for the evaluation of the release mechanism. The release of the drug from the hydrogels occurred through non-Fickian diffusion mechanism.