title: The synthesis and in vitro characterization of the mucoadhesion and swelling of poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to synthesize insoluble, mucoadhesive hydrogels by crosslinking linear poly(acrylic acid) with sucrose and investigate the relationship between hydrogel crosslink density, swelling, and in vitro mucoadhesion. A condensation reaction was employed to synthesize the hydrogels and crosslink density was varied by altering sucrose concentration and cure time. Equilibrium swelling at pH 7.4 was measured both gravimetrically and geometrically. In vitro mucoadhesion was determined by a tensile technique. Equilibrium swelling studies indicated that the crosslink density was proportional to both sucrose concentration and duration of cure time. In vitro mucoadhesive properties of the hydrogels improved as crosslink density increased. This was attributed to an increase in poly(acrylic acid) chain density/unit area of the equilibrium swollen hydrogel, which promoted interaction of the mucoadhesive and glycoprotein polymer chains.
authors.affiliation: Welsh School of Pharmacy, UWC, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Kellaway
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D000268:Adhesiveness; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004058:Diffusion; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D012996:Solutions; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D012996:Solutions; C006903:carbopol 940; D013395:Sucrose