Frontal polymerization as a new method for developing drug controlled release systems (DCRS) based on polyacrylamide

Stimuli-responsive polymers are macromolecular materials that undergo changes in response to small external stimuli in the environmental conditions. Among stimuli-responsive hydrogels are several polyacrylamides. Frontal polymerization is a fast, easy and inexpensive polymerization technique used for the synthesis of macromolecules. Aim of this work was the evaluation of the Frontal polymerization technique as new method for the preparation of controlled release dosage forms in which drug loading and polymer preparation occur together, as well as the possibility of obtaining more dosage units by a unique preparation. Hydrogels based on polyacrylamide containing diclofenac sodium salt were prepared using the Frontal polymerization and compared with similar systems obtained by the classic batch method. Polymers characterized by three different degree of cross-linking were prepared. The stability of the drug during the sample preparation was evaluated by IR analysis. The obtained samples were characterized in terms of drug content, morphology, in vitro drug release and swelling properties. Samples were studied also divided into disks. The results show that hydrogels based on polyacrylamide can be prepared by Frontal polymerization; these samples show similar properties to those obtained by batch polymerization. The drug is stable in the polymerization reaction conditions. Samples characterized by the lowest degree of cross-linking show drug loading values always higher than samples with the highest one regardless of the preparation method employed. The swelling ratio decreases as the degree of cross-linking increases. Loaded samples swell more than drug free ones. From a single preparation of hydrogel, three disks showing same drug content and in vitro release behaviour can be obtained and thus they can be used as three single dosage units. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.