Polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan lactate composite hydrogel for controlled drug delivery

The aim of the present study was to develop composite hydrogel and its evaluation as drug delivery matrices for sustained release of hydrophilic drugs. Composite drug-loaded hydrogels were prepared by blending of chitosan lactate with polyvinyl alcohol followed by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. This has been further characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The developed PVA/Chitosan Lactate (PVA/CL) based hydrogels were cross-linked in order to enhance its Physico-chemical properties. Freezing bound water was measured by differential scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to analyze the cold crystallization characteristics of the hydrogel. The cell cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, hemolysis and drug release properties of PVA/CL hydrogels membrane were also investigated. In vitro cell viability of L929 cells shows that the fabricated hydrogels are compatible with cells and facilitate cells adhesion. Moreover, the sustained release of ciprofloxacin from developed drug-loaded hydrogels inhibits the growth of E. coli and thus facilitates antimicrobial activity under physiological condition. Thus, we anticipate the improved properties of the fabricated composite hydrogels might be suitable for controlled drug delivery, anti-infective coatings, and wound dressing.