Abstract:
The hydrogel can be defined as a three-dimensional polymer/s network with cross-linker/s
which able to absorb and retain water or biological fluid. This water retention does not
dissolve or disturb the basic structure. They are more potent to use in medicine as they
can mimic the properties and composition of biological tissues/ cells and as they can carry
drugs. Rapid release of drugs from hydrogels is an issue and to address it, nano-hydrogels
are developed. Typically pore sizes range from 1nm to 100nm in nano-hydrogels. The
primary objective of this study was to develop a hydrogel to transport drug methotrexate
(MTX) via the oral route and to advance it to a nano-hydrogel using the results.
Characterization, swelling studies, and in-vitro drug release are secondary objectives of
the study. Two natural polymers; Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) and Chitosan (CHN),
and one natural cross-linker; Citric Acid (CA) were used in this study as natural
substances exert minimum adverse effect to the environment and human. Three hydrogels
were prepared as (1) CMC+CA+MTX, (2) CMC+CHN+MTX, and (3)
CMC+CHN+CA+MTX in distilled water. Freeze drying was done to obtain dry samples.
Based on Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images, the pore size of hydrogel 1
varied between 6-9 µm and hydrogel 2 varied between 6-8 µm. Hydrogel 3 showed
special pocket like features other than its pores where size ranged from 200nm-1.6µm.
Swelling studies were done at 37 °C in pH 2.2 and pH 7.4 using phosphate buffers
separately for all three hydrogels. Results showed that hydrogel 1 was swollen up to
642% at pH 2.2 and up to 924% at pH 7.4. Hydrogel 2 swollen up to 590% at pH 2.2 and
462% at pH 7.4. Hydrogel 3 swollen up to 430% at pH 2.2 and up to 404% at pH 7.4. Invitro release studies are being carried out at the moment. According to the results,
prepared hydrogels showed different swelling behaviours at different pH values. The
highest swelling was for hydrogel 1 at pH 7.4 and the lowest was for hydrogel 3 at pH
7.4. Hydrogel 3 showed the lowest swelling behaviour in both pH values and it can be
due to the highest crosslinking nature compared to others. Therefore, it can be concluded
that hydrogel 3 is more potent to develop a nano-hydrogel as it is more cross-linked and it
has folded pocket like structures where size is near to nano level.
Keywords- Fluoride, Total Hardness, Total Alkalinity, CKDu, Uva Province
Keywords: Nano-hydrogel, Hydrogel, Methotrexate
