Novel glycol chitosan hydrogels: pH-sensitive swelling, biodegradation, and drug release behavior

Abstract

Novel pH-sensitive, biodegradable, glycol chitosan (GC) hydrogels were prepared by enzymatic cross-linking using lipase and divinyladipate (DVA). The pH-dependent swelling/ deswelling behavior, biodegradability, and in vitro drug release characteristics of the hydrogels were investigated. The swelling ratio of the hydrogel greatly increased at acidic pH. The GC hydrogels were degraded by hydrolysis and released a drug in aqueous media. The biodegradable GC hydrogels may be a promising candidate as a controlled drug release system.