Release Dynamics of Ciprofloxacin (CFx) From Swellable Nanocarriers of Poly-(2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA): An In-Vitro Study

Swellable polymeric nanosystems have emerged as promising materials in drug release technologies. Such systems have shown potential in releasing antibiotic drug and even that in quite desirably controlled fashion. In the present investigation poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) nanoparticles have been synthesized by suspension polymerization of HEMA and characterized by various techniques such as FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size analysis and surface charge measurements. The synthesized nanoparticles were swellable in water and found to show promise to function as a swelling controlled release system. The release kinetics of drug-loaded particles was studied in PBS medium taking Ciprofloxacin (CFx) as a model antibacterial drug. The chemical stability of the pure and released drug was also assessed in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) (pH=7.4), acidic (pH 1.8), and alkaline (pH 8.6) solutions. The in vitro blood compatibility of nanoparticles was also investigated in terms of haemolysis tests. The drug loaded nanoparticles were also examined for their antibacterial and blood compatible behaviors.