Polyurethane-based hydrogels for controlled drug delivery applications

The aim of this paper was to prepare polyurethane-based hydrogels for the controlled release of 5-fluoro uracil. The polyurethane containing azomethine linkage in the main chain was prepared using different diisocyanates such as HDI, LDI or IPDI. A melamine-based amine compound has been used to synthesize polyurethane and this compound has wide range applications. The hydrogels were prepared by using polyurethanes and chitosan for the first time literature and the chemical structure and morphology were also investigated. Wettability, water uptake performance, in-vitro biodegradation, mechanical strength, thermal stability, protein absorption, and antibacterial properties were also evaluated. In the presence of LDI in the structure of the hydrogels, wettability, thermal stability, mechanical strength, in-vitro biodegradation rate and protein absorption performance of the hydrogels were enhanced. Moreover, drug loading and release application of the hydrogels were carried out and LDI containing hydrogels has higher 5-FU loading and release capacity than the other hydrogels.