Developing Poly(agar-Co Oil) Based Organo-Hydrogels for the Controlled Drug Release Applications

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the synthesis, characterization and drug release behaviors of organohydrogels containing pH-sensitive Agar (A), Glycerol (G), Thyme Oil (TO). The novel organo-hydrogels containing TO were prepared in an emulsion media by the free-radical polymerization and crosslinking reactions among Agar (A), Glycerol (G), TO, N, N, methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) or glutaraldehyde (GA) reagent. Swelling ability (ethanol, acetone, ethanol/ID water (1:1), acetone/ID water (1:1) and gasoline environments and different pH), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and 5-Fluorouracil (5-Flu) drug release of the organo-hydrogels were profoundly determined and some structural parameters for organohydrogels such as blood clotting, hemolysis analysis, antioxidant analysis were also evaluated in this study. The FTIR spectra confirmed that the TO was bonded onto the organo-hydrogel structure, and the A, G and TO macromolecular chains interpenetrated through the MBA or GA reagent. When swelling analyzes were examined, it was determined that organo-hydrogels, which added thyme oil to the structure, swelled not only in pure water and tap water but also in organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone, ethanol/ID water (1:1), acetone/ID water (1:1) and gasoline. All of the organo-hydrogels synthesized in the light of blood clotting, hemolysis analysis, antioxidant analysis were hemocompatible and could be used within the body. The release results indicated that the organo-hydrogel p(AG-m-TO)(3) and p(AG-g-TO)(3) had the highest 84.3% and 73.3% release capacity. In addition, it was reported that the release capacities of organo-hydrogels were inversely proportional to the increased amount of TO. When 5-Flu drug release was examined in terms of kinetic models, it was observed that the release adapted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas (KPKM) model. And it was also determined that organo-hydrogels based on p(AG-m-TO) comply with the non-Fick law and organo-hydrogels based on p(AG-g-TO) comply with the Case II transport. In the light of the results obtained, their easy formability, their appropriate mechanical and physical properties make Organo-hydrogels suitable candidates for drug delivery systems.