Synthesis of stimuli–responsive chitosan–based hydrogels by Diels–Alder cross–linking `click´ reaction as potential carriers for drug administration

Abstract Stimuli–responsive chitosan–based hydrogels for biomedical applications using the Diels–Alder reaction were prepared. Furan modified chitosan (Cs–Fu) was cross–linked with polyetheramine derived bismaleimide at different equivalent ratios in order to determine the effect in the swelling and release properties on the final CsFu:BMI hydrogels. The Diels Alder cross–linking reaction was monitored by UV–vis spectroscopy and rheological measurements. Both the sol–gel transition value and the final storage modulus for the different formulations were similar and close to 40 min and 400 Pa, respectively. On the contrary, the swelling degree was found to be strongly dependent on the amount of bismaleimide, mainly in acidic medium, where the increased cross–linking reduced the swelling value in 25%, but maintaining the sustained drug release in the simulated gastrointestinal environment. Our study suggested that these DA–cross–linked chitosan hydrogels could be potential carriers for targeted drug administration.