title: Molecularly imprinted polymers for 5-fluorouracil release in biological fluids.
abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of employing Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) as a controlled release device for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in biological fluids, especially gastrointestinal ones, compared to Non Imprinted Polymers (NIPs). MIPs were synthesized using methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinking agent. The capacity of the polymer to recognize and to bind the template selectively in both organic and aqueous media was evaluated. An in vitro release study was performed both in gastrointestinal and in plasma simulating fluids. The imprinted polymers bound much more 5-Fu than the corresponding non-imprinted ones and showed a controlled/sustained drug release, with MIPs release rate being indeed much more sustained than that obtained from NIPs. These polymers represent a potential valid system for drug delivery and this study indicates that the selective binding characteristic of molecularly imprinted polymers is promising for the preparation of novel controlled release drug dosage form.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy. francesco.puoci@unical.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puoci
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iemma
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.forename: Nevio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Picci
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matricardi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alhaiqu
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005609:Free Radicals; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; C008384:methacrylic acid; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate; D005472:Fluorouracil