Diffusion of steroids in porous sol-gel glass: Application in slow drug delivery

Samples of porous sol-gel glass, after being stabilized at 750°C, were impregnated with progesterone, estradiol, estrone, and hydrocortisone. Diffusion coefficients for those steroids inside the pores filled with pure ethanol, ethanol-water mixture or physiological solution were determined. It is shown that permeability is favored for steroids having fewer hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. Solvents that readily dissolve steroids increase the diffusion rate and thus the amount of delivered material. The flow of steroids in small pores is less restricted than in larger pores.