Smart Pectin-based Superabsorbent Hydrogel as a Matrix for Ibuprofen as an Oral Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Delivery

The purpose of this study was to produce an intelligent superabsorbent polymer (SAP) to be used as a pH sensitive matrix for the controlled delivery of drugs. Novel types of highly swelling SAPs were prepared by grafting crosslinked acrylic acid-co-acrylamide (AA-co-AAm) chains onto pectin by free-radical polymerization. The superabsorbent formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The controlled release behavior of ibuprofen (IBU) from the superabsorbent polymer was investigated. SAP structural-property relationships that affect its controlled release behavior were determined. Analysis of the results indicated that it is possible to optimize ibuprofen (IBU) controlled release by adjusting the SAP composition and the crosslinking degree of the copolymer. The results revealed that the release profiles of IBLI from the superabsorbent polymer were slow (lower than 2%) in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) over 3 h, but nearly all of the initial drug content (more than 84%) was released in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.4) within 85 In after changing media. Overall the results demonstrated that biodegradable superabsorbents could successfully deliver a drug to the intestine without losing the drug in the stomach, and could be potential candidates as an orally administrated drug delivery system.