Composite cryogels for dual drug delivery and enhanced mechanical properties

Abstract

In this study, we present a simple and effective process that integrates hydrogels with drugs + ceramics via physical crosslinks resulting in improved mechanical properties. These cryogels have the potential for controlled drug release and stimulus responsive behavior. The hydrogels were produced from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylic acid by varying the molecular weight of the polymers, via freeze‐thawing technique. The cryogels were combined with two ceramics: (1) a combination of beta‐tricalcium phosphate, wollastonite, magnesium silicate and (2) titanium dioxide nanopowder. Theophylline, a model drug, was incorporated into the structure to analyze the drug release behavior. A layered structure was produced by adding both hydrogels + ceramics into a mold where a PVA dried film acted as a barrier and reinforcing structure. The results showed that the barrier integrated between both hydrogels by a physically crosslinking mechanism. This adhesion was demonstrated using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Swelling of this composite showed the profile of drug release from both hydrogels + ceramics while simultaneously releasing the drug independently without diffusing via the opposite layer. Finally, mechanical properties were improved with the addition of the ceramics, which demonstrates the potential approach in terms of modification of weak hydrogel systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E210–E220, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Cryogel scaffolds for regionally constrained delivery of lysophosphatidylcholine to central nervous system slice cultures: A model of focal demyelination for multiple sclerosis research

“…The mechanical properties of the cryogels were analyzed by a compression test. The Figure S7 shows uniaxial compression stress-strain curves obtained for the cylindrical PEGDA cryogels, which has also been reported for other types of cryogel material [25,28,33]. The curve shape of the compression measurements follows an initial weak stress-strain response, which turns into a dramatic stress increase when higher strains are applied.…”

“…The resulting materials, termed cryogelated hydrogels (or cryogels) typically exhibit macroporous structures that are highly interconnected, with mechanically strong struts and stiff pore walls [25][26][27]. Cryogels exhibit high mechanical deformability without being destroyed and have remarkable shape memory with additional reversible and fastswelling properties [28][29][30]. These beneficial features motivated us to investigate their use as an easy-to-handle scaffold for delivery of LPC focally to brain slice cultures.…”

Photopolymerization for filling porous ceramic matrix: Improvement of mechanical properties and drug delivering behavior

“…Additionally, the incorporation of ceramic scaffolds in the polymer matrix was demonstrated by Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). Physical properties such as swelling, gel fraction and compression strength were studied for the composites and compared with the measurements obtained for the polymer matrix without ceramic scaffolds embed as in previous studies . In case of compression strength, these measurements were also compared with the ceramic scaffold without polymer matrix.…”

Supermacroporous Composite Cryogels in Biomedical Applications

“…Swelling of composite cryogels showed drug release from both cryogels ceramics with simultaneous, independent drug release without diffusing by opposite layer. In addition, the ceramic can enhance the mechanical properties of composite within the cryogel and can be tailored for specific drugs and drug release profiles [82].…”