Imprinted hydrophilic nanospheres as drug delivery systems for 5-fluorouracil sustained release

• Published in: Journal of drug targeting Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 72 - 77
• Main Authors: Cirillo, G., Iemma, F., Puoci, F., Parisi, O. I., Curcio, M., Spizzirri, U. G., Picci, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Informa UK Ltd 2009; Taylor & Francis; Informa Healthcare
• Subjects: 5-Fluorouracil; Acetonitriles - chemistry; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic - chemical synthesis; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Linking Reagents - chemistry; Delayed-Action Preparations - chemical synthesis; drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Ethylene Glycol - chemistry; Fluorouracil - chemical synthesis; General pharmacology; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate - chemistry; imprinted polymers; Medical sciences; Methacrylates - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Molecular Imprinting - methods; Molecular Structure; nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanospheres - chemistry; Nanotechnology - methods; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polymers - chemical synthesis; Technology, Pharmaceutical; Uracil - chemical synthesis; Water - analysis; Antineoplastic agent; Pharmaceutical technology; 5-Fluorouracil; Enzyme; Controlled release form; Nanoparticle; Control release polymer; Fluoropyrimidine derivatives; Transferases; Enzyme inhibitor; Drug carrier; drug delivery; Thymidylate synthase; nanoparticles; Antimetabolic; Methyltransferases; imprinted polymers; Dosage form; Pyrimidine derivatives; Microparticle; Nanosphere; Hydrophilic compound; Fluorouracil
• ISSN: 1061-186X; 1029-2330
• DOI: 10.1080/10611860802455813

Molecularly imprinted hydrogel nanospheres as devices for the controlled/sustained release of 5-fluororacil in biological fluids were synthesized employing one-pot precipitation technique as the polymerization method. Methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and ethylene glycole dimethacrylate as a cross-linker were used in polymeric feed. Morphological and hydrophilic properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy and water content measurement, and recognition and selectivity properties of spherical molecularly imprinted polymers were compared with the spherical non-imprinted polymers, both in organic (acetonitrile) and water media. Finally, in vitro release studies were performed in plasma simulating fluids.