title: Controlled drug release from hydrogel-based matrices: Experiments and modeling.
abstract: Controlled release by oral administration is mainly achieved by pharmaceuticals based on hydrogels. Once swallowed, a matrix made of hydrogels experiences water up-take, swelling, drug dissolution and diffusion, polymer erosion. The detailed understanding and quantification of such a complex behavior is a mandatory prerequisite to the design of novel pharmaceuticals for controlled oral delivery. In this work, the behavior of hydrogel-based matrices has been investigated by means of several experimental techniques previously pointed out (gravimetric, and based on texture analysis); and then all the observed features were mathematically described using a physical model, defined and recently improved by our research group (based on balance equations, rate equations and swelling predictions). The agreement between the huge set of experimental data and the detailed calculations by the model is good, confirming the validity of both the experimental and the theoretical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 134, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caccavo
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 134, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cascone
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 134, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy. Electronic address: glamberti@unisa.it.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamberti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 134, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Angela
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Barba
mesh_terms: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry; D065546:Drug Liberation; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012995:Solubility; D013806:Theophylline / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D020100:Hydrogels; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D013806:Theophylline
keywords: Hydrogels; Hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose-HPMC (PubChem CID: 57503849); Modeling; Texture analysis; Theophylline (PubChem CID: 2153); Transport phenomena; Water uptake