SWELLABLE MICROPARTICLES CONTAINING SUPROFEN - EVALUATION OF IN-VITRORELEASE AND PHOTOCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR

Suprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug was incorporated in polymer networ ks based on biocompatible macromolecules, such as alpha,beta-polyaspar thydrazide (PAHy) and alpha,beta-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide ( PHEA) crosslinked by glutaraldehyde or gamma-rays, respectively. Swell ing tests carried out in aqueous media showed that pH value affects th e swelling degree of the prepared hydrogels. In vitro release tests we re performed in simulated gastrointestinal fluids (pH 1/6.8) using the pH variation method and in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4. Experim ental data indicated that Suprofen was released in a sustained way bot h from PAHy and PHEA microparticles. Further, incorporation of Suprofe n in PAHy and PHEA networks provided a significant reduction of the dr ug photosensitizing activity, as evidenced by in vitro hemolysis tests . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.