Application of paclitaxel-imprinted microparticles obtained using two different cross-linkers for prolonged drug delivery

Abstract Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are artificial materials processed to have cavities in the polymer structure which are capable of forming selective interactions with their molecular templates. Here, we report the synthesis of paclitaxel-imprinted microparticles and their application in prolonged drug delivery. Methacrylic acid was used as a functional monomer and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was added to increase hydrophilicity of the obtained MIPs and therefore to improve compatibility with water solutions. The effect of two different cross-linkers, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, on the final properties of obtained MIPs microspheres was examined. The influence of initial paclitaxel concentration as well as its contact time with MIPs microparticles on adsorption process was investigated. The release kinetics of paclitaxel from drug-loaded MIPs was found to be significantly depend upon the type of cross-linker used as well as the pH of the release medium. The highest cumulative release was observed at pH 7.4 for MIPs obtained using trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as a cross-linker, reaching 85% in 50 h. The MIPs obtained using this cross-linker were characterized by IC 50 comparable to the ones measured for pure paclitaxel. These results clearly indicate that the obtained MIPs microparticles have a large potential for prolonged drug delivery.