Synthesis and Characterization of Ciprofloxacin Loaded Star-Shaped Polycaprolactone-Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels for Oral Delivery.

ABSTRACT: The administration of poorly water-soluble drugs represents a relevant problem due to the low body fluids transport efficiency through hydrophilic hydrogels. Star-shaped co-polymers, i.e., amphiphilic polymers such as those with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic outer shell, can be used to improve weak interactions with drugs, with relevant benefits in terms of administration and controlled delivery. In this work, two different co-polymers, four-arm star-shaped PCL-PEG and six-arm star-shaped PCL-PEG, were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization to be loaded with ciprofloxacin. ¹H-NMR and FTIR analyses confirmed that PCL arms were successfully grafted to the mPEG backbone, while DSC analysis indicated similar crystallinity and melting point, ranging from 56 to 60 °C, inde

SUBMITTER: Khodir WKWA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10383659 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature