Mixed-interpenetrated polymeric networks based on sodium alginate (ALG) and poly(N-isopropylacryl amide) (PNI-PAAm) covalently cross-linked with N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide are studied for their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and biodegradability aiming their application in drug delivery. The presence of drug-polymeric matrix interactions and the distribution of the drug in the polymeric network for theophylline-loaded ALG/PNIPAAm hydrogels are also investigated by spectroscopic and microscopic methods. The quantitative evaluation of theophylline loaded hydrogels performed by NIR-CI technique shows a better drug entrapment and a higher homogeneity of the samples with increased alginate content. The thermal behavior of the hydrogels is significantly modified by theophylline presence. The application of the ALG/PNIPAAm hydrogels as carriers for sustained drug release formulations was assessed by the theophylline release tests performed both by in vitro and in vivo studies. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40733.

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The xanthan/chondroitin sulfate (X/CS) hydrogels, obtained by a crosslinking technique, were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as matrices for theophylline release. The influence of pH of simulated physiological media on the X/CS swelling behaviour at 37°C was investigated. The hydrogels theophylline loading degree was evaluated by near infrared chemical imaging (NIR-CI) technique and confirmed also by FT-IR spectroscopy; the drug loading was about 77.5% based on PLS-DA prediction (Partial least squares-Discriminate Analysis). The release profiles of theophylline from X/CS hydrogels in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) depend on CS content. The release mechanisms were controlled by the drug solubility and ionic properties of the polymers. In vivo theophylline delivery was done by oral administration. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed sustained-release characteristics for 50/50 X/CS theophylline-loaded formulation compared with raw theophylline which was rapidly absorbed, distributed and eliminated. A good in vitro-in vivo correlation was found.

The hydrogels of crosslinked chitosan with different glutaraldehyde amounts have been "in vitro" tested as carriers for prolonged release of some drugs for inflammatory and bronchopulomonary diseases. These hydrogels have been loaded with two novel nitric oxide donors, derivatives of 7-[2-nitroxyacethyloxy-3-(4-acethyl-amino-phenoxy)-propyl]-8-R-1,3-dimethyl-xanthine compounds (R=H, NO 2 for 65 and respectively 77 compounds) designed as multitarget drugs and parent compounds as paracetamol, theophylline, two xanthine derivatives 7-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-acethyl-amino-phenoxy)-propyl]-8-R-1,3-dimethyl-xanthine derivatives with (R=H, NO 2 for D 1 and respectively D 2 ) and their release was evaluated in an acidic solution (pH=2.2) simulating the gastric fluid. Results have been correlated with the swelling behaviour which was also followed in acidic media with pH=2.2. The relationships between the release profiles and kinetics and matrix characteristics and/or drug properties have been established.

Membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/b-cyclodextrin blends Summary-Membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/b-cyclodextrin (PVA/b-CD) with various compositions have been prepared by using a series of three freezing/thawing cycles. The membranes were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and also water swelling tests as well as contact angle measurements have been performed. The swelling kinetics of membranes in water at different temperatures have been also evaluated. It was established that the membrane properties are influenced by the b-cyclodextrin (b-CD) content and the pores diameter. The crystalline fraction in PVA/b-CD membranes increases with the increase of b-CD content.

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New polymer hydrogels based on partially phosphorylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA/Phosphoester) have been prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to confirm PVA/Phosphoester formation. Contact angle measurements were performed to evaluate the surface characteristics of the hydrogels. The PVA/Phosphoester hydrogels were co-networked with Chondroitin sulfate (CS) in various ratios by chemical crosslinking. The synthetic-natural mixed resulted semi-IPN hydrogels were structurally and morphologically investigated by ATR — FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The swelling behavior and dynamic moisture sorption capacity of the PVA/Phosphoester (p-methyl-phenyl phosphonic dichloride) (P3)-CS semi-IPN hydrogels were followed. It was found that the performance of the semi-IPN hydrogels was influenced by the CS. By kinetic studies, it has been shown that the swelling processes occurred by an anomalous transport mechanism. Graphical abstract