Pectin-Based Biodegradable Hydrogels with Potential Biomedical Applications as Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

In this work, synthesis and swelling behavior of a superabsorbent hydrogel based on Pectin (Pc) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were investigated. A mechanism for hydrogel formation was proposed and the structure of the product was es-tablished using FTIR spectroscopy. The Pc-poly (sodium acrylate-co-acrylamide) hydrogel exhibited a pH-responsive swelling-deswelling behavior at pH’s 2 and 8. This on-off switching behavior provides the hydrogel with the potential to control delivery of bioactive agents. Release profiles of ibuprofen (IBU), a poor water-soluble drug, from the hydro-gels were studied under both simulated gastric and intestinal pH conditions.