Application of poly (Agar-co-Glycerol-co-Sweet Almond Oil) based organohydrogels as a Drug Delivery Material

Abstract In this study, it was aimed to investigate the synthesis, characterization and drug release behaviors of organohydrogels containing pH-sensitive Agar (A), Glycerol (G), Sweet Almond oil (SAO). Organohydrogels, which contained Agar, Glycerol and different amounts of Sweet Almond oil, were synthesized via the free-radical polymerization reaction with emulsion technique using glutaraldehyde or methylene bis acrylamide crosslinkers. Then, the degree of swelling, bond structures, blood compatibility and antioxidant properties of the synthesized organohydrogels were examined. In addition, Organohydrogels which loaded with Ceftriaxone (antibiotic) and Oxaliplatin (an anti-cancer agent), were synthesized with the same polymerization reaction and release kinetics were investigated. In vitro release studies were performed at media similar pH to gastric fluid (pH 2), skin surface (pH 5.5), blood fluid (pH 7.4) and intestinal fluid (pH 8), at 37° C. The effects on release of crosslinker type and sweet almond oil amount were investigated. Kinetic parameters were determined using release results and these results were applied to zero and first-order equations and Korsmeyer-Peppas and Higuchi equations. Diffusion exponential was calculated for drug diffusion of organohydrogels and values consistent with release results were found.