In vitro and in vivo evaluation of poly(2-methoxyethyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid)-based microhydrogels for pH-responsive targeted delivery of model drug

The study aimed to develop chemically crosslinked poly(2-methoxyethyl methacrylate-coacrylic acid) (p(MEMA-co-AA)) microhydrogels as carriers for pH-responsive oral targeted delivery of therapeutics. p(MEMA-co-AA) microgels were successfully synthesized by simple free radical suspension polymerization technique confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetic analysis, powdered x-ray diffractrometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Chemically crosslinked spherical microhydrogels with an average size in the range of 4.1 mu m +/- 2.21 to 9.7 mu m +/- 3.21 exhibited pH-dependent controlled release of the model drug. Maximum swelling, drug loading, and release were observed at pH 7.4. The optimal formulation achieved good delayed and sustained release features with decreased C-max, prolonged T-max, and mean residence time in comparison to oral drug solution. [GRAPHICS] .