Drug release from α,β-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide-based microparticles

Spherical pH-sensitive microparticles have been prepared by reverse phase suspension polymerization technique. Starting polymer has been alpha,beta-poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA) partially derivatized with glycidylmethacrylate (GMA). PHEA-GMA copolymer (PHG) has been crosslinked in the presence of acrylic acid (AA) or methacrylic acid (MA) at various concentration. The obtained microparticles have been characterized by FT-IR spectrophotometry, particle size distribution analysis and scanning electron microscopy. In order to have information about water affinity of the prepared samples, swelling measurements have been carried out in aqueous media which simulate some biological fluids. The possibility to employ the prepared samples as pH-sensitive microparticles has been investigated by performing in vitro release studies. Experimental data have showed that the release rate from these microparticles depends on the environmental pH and the chemical structure of the drug. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.