Preparation and characterization of hyaluronate-hydroxyethyl acrylate blend hydrogel for controlled release device

Hyaluronate-hydroxyethyl acrylate blend hydrogels were investigated as matr ices for controlled release devices. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) derivatize d HA (GMA-HA) was synthesized by coupling of GMA to HA in the presence of a suitable catalyst, These hydrogels were prepared by a free radical copolym erization of GMA-HA and hydroxyethyl acrylate, The water content of these h vdrogels at equilibrium swelling in water (Ww) was 0.978+/-0.0073 (n=18); h owever these hydrogel was mechanically tough and could be used as disk shap e. The hydrogels swelling were found to depend on ionic strength and pH, Th e dried hydrogels quickly regained their original condition in water, and t hey swelled to more than 90% of its initial water contents after 30 min. Th is swelling-deswelling behavior was reproducible, The release of chlorproma zine HCl as a model cationic drug from the gels was suppressed significantl y in water. The release increased with increasing the ionic strength and de creasing pH of bulk solutions.