Eco-Synthesis of PVA/Chitosan Hydrogels for Biomedical Application

A drug delivery system based on physically cross-linked poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan blend hydrogels for the release of sparfloxacin antibiotic as a model for drugs was described. Eco-synthesis in current work is based on synthesizing a hydrogel without using chemical crosslinking agents like in the conventional method. In addition all materials are used are non- toxic, safe, non-carcinogenic and can be accepted by the human body without danger. The swelling behavior was tested to be dependent on pH as temperature as well as time and number of freezing thawing cycles. The physical properties of the hydrogels, such as swelling percent, dissolution percent, gel fraction and mechanical properties was assessed. The antimicrobial activity of hydrogels having different compositions was evaluated for both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Furthermore, the release of antibiotic from hydrogels prepared using the freeze-thawed process was studied. Results obtained disclose that the swelling percent of the hydrogels is pH- dependent and increases by increasing the chitosan percent and decreases with increasing the time and number of freezing cycle. With respect to the antimicrobial activity of the prepared hydrogels, display a positive effect for both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Freeze-thawed hydrogels could serve as drug delivery system to release sparfloxacin in acidic medium. Indeed, the release percent of sparfloxacin relies on both pH and temperature. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.