A Hydrogel Based on a Polyaspartamide: Characterization and Evaluation of In-vivo Biocompatibility and Drug Release in the Rat

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Abstract
This paper deals with the characterization of a new microparticulate hydrogel obtained by gamma irradiation of α,β‐poly[N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐dl‐aspartamide] (PHEA). When enzymatic digestion of PHEA hydrogel was evaluated using various concentrations of pepsin and α‐chymotrypsin no degradation occurred within 24 h. In‐vivo studies showed that this new material is biocompatible after oral administration to rats. PHEA hydrogel was also studied as a system for delivery of diflunisal, an anti‐inflammatory drug. In‐vitro release studies in simulated gastrointestinal juice (pH 1 or 6.8) showed that most of the drug was released at pH 6.8. In‐vivo studies indicated that diflunisal‐loaded PHEA microparticles significantly improved the gastric tolerance and oral bioavailability of the drug in comparison with free diflunisal. These results suggest the potential application of PHEA hydrogel as a new delivery system for the oral administration of anti‐inflammatory drugs.