Controlled release profile of 5-fluorouracil loaded P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel prepared via free radical precipitation polymerization

A new microgel was prepared by free radical precipitation polymerization of acrylamide (AAM), 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) and 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) to be used for the controlled drug release. The zeta-potential and particle size of P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and found to be around − 36.4 ± 6.29 mV and 592 nm, respectively. P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel was loaded with 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) as a model drug. In vitro drug release profiles demonstrated that 5-Fu release from P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel at pH 7.4 was much faster than at pH 5.5 and pH 2.1. In addition, release kinetic studies showed that P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel fit into Higuchi model release. The cytotoxicity study indicated that P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel did not exhibit apparent cytotoxicity against L929 cell line. When all of the results were evaluated, it can be seen that P(AAM-co-NVP-co-DEAEMA) microgel can be effectively used as a polymeric drug carrier for the potential drug delivery systems in medical applications.