Development and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Polymeric Hydrogel Membranes

The current study deals with the development of a glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan-based delivery system with improved mechanical properties utilizing the reactive solvent technique. The prepared systems were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The systems were also analysed for mechanical and pH-dependent swelling properties and they were also analysed for their haemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. FT-IR studies indicated formation of imine bonds during the cross-linking reaction of chitosan and glutaraldehyde. TGA, XRD and mechanical studies indicated optimal properties for the system prepared with 5% methacrylic acid as reactive solvent. The developed systems indicated pH-dependent swelling behaviour with increased swelling at lower pH. The prepared delivery systems were found to be highly haemocompatible in the presence of human blood and cytocompatible in the presence of L929 fibroblast cells. The release of the model drug (salicylic acid) from the delivery systems in 0.01 M HCl indicated Fickian kinetics. The developed delivery systems could be used to deliver drugs selectively in the stomach. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010