Hemoglobin-Polyvinyl Alcohol (Hb-PVA) Macroporous Cryogels As Swelling-Controlled Drug Delivery System Optimization and Release Kinetics of Vancomycin

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to formulate and investigate biopolymer based cryogel as bioactive carriers, which is hydrophilic in nature.

Methods

A Contemporary research based on the preparation of hemoglobin protein-polyvinyl (Hb-PVA) macroporous cryogels of varying compositions through the freeze–thaw method, using deionized water as a plasticizer. Vancomycin drug loaded Hb-PVA gel applicable as a good platform to promote controlled antibiotic drug release into the specific sites of the body against antibiotic resistance diseases.

Results

The synthesized Hb-PVA cryogels were characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, the morphological and thermal stability of the synthesized cryogels were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry. FTIR and XRD spectral assignments revealed the crystalline nature of the cryogel with semicrystalline segments. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surface morphology was macroporous in nature; hence, the water-holding capacity of these materials increased. Atomic force microscopy images reveal that the surface roughness is enough for the adhesion of drug molecules, and the R_a/R_q ratio is equal to 1.24 for a Gaussian surface. The swelling properties of the prepared cryogels were investigated at different polymer compositions, temperatures, simulated biological solutions, pH media, salt solutions, and freeze thaw cycles at certain time intervals. The swollen gels were further investigated for vancomycin drug loading and release profiles under in vitro conditions, such as changes in the polymer (PVA, Hb) concentration, temperature, and pH of the release media. This drug-loaded cryogel was also examined for its antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions

The protein based cryogels have great potential to deliver antibiotic drugs or other bioactive compounds. Based ontheir pore-sizes they may also use in water treatment and cell proliferation, wound dressing etc.