In this study, 5-fluorouracil- (5-FU-) loaded hydroxyapatite-gelatin (HAp-GEL) polymer composites were produced in the presence of a simulated body fluid (SBF) to investigate the effects of temperature and cross-linking agents on drug release. The composites were produced by wet precipitation at pH 7.4 and temperature 37°C using glutaraldehyde (GA) as the cross-linker. The effects of different amounts of glutaraldehyde on drug release profiles were studied. Encapsulation (drug loading) was performed with 5-FU using a spray drier, and the drug release of 5-FU from the HAp-GEL composites was determined at temperatures of 32°C, 37°C, and 42°C. Different mathematical models were used to obtain the release mechanism of the drug. The morphologies and structures of the composites were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that for the HAp-GEL composites, the initial burst decreased with increasing GA content at all three studied temperatures. Further, three kinetic models were investigated, and it was determined that all the composites best fit the Higuchi model. It was concluded that the drug-loaded HAp-GEL composites have the potential to be used in drug delivery applications.

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Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioceramic applied in the biomedical areas, such as matrices for drug release control. Chitosan (CTS), a natural polymer, is another material has been widely investigated for its potential use in the drug delivery systems. In this study, the composites of HAp-CTS are produced in order to investigate their drug loading and release studies. First of all, HAp-CTS composites are produced in the presence of simulated body fluid (SBF). Analysis confirmed the structure of HAp-CTS composites. Secondly, composites are encapsulated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). The weight ratio of CTS is varied to realize its effect on drug loading of 5-Fluorouracil, a cancer drug, for the ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 of HAp-CTS. The weight ratio giving the greatest drug load efficiency is selected for the last step of the study. Crosslinking agent, glutaraldehyde, are changed from 0 to 5% on the selected sample, then, drug loading is examined again in various environment owing different pH. Furthermore, drug release studies are conducted. To understand the structure and morphology of the samples, XRD, FTIR, SEM and Uv-Spectrum are applied. It is observed that weight ratio of polymer and crosslinking agent can be manipulated to adjust drug loading. Release kinetics are shown the Fickian diffusion. This new produced material can be applicable for drug delivery.

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