Collagen-Poly(HEMA) Hydrogels for the Controlled Release of Anticancer Drugs—Preparation and Characterization

Copolymeric hydrogels of collagen and poly(hydroxyethyl meth acrylate) [poly(HEMA)] were prepared and were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron micros copy (SEM). It was found that hydrogels containing about 5-10% (w/w) collagen were stable and resilient. As the collagen content was increased, there was a corresponding decrease in the resiliency and stability of the hydrogel in retain ing its physical form. The cumulative in vitro release profile of 5-fluorouracil from collagen-poly(HEMA) hydrogel matrix showed a zero-order pattern with a release rate of about 270 μg/day for a period of 10 days.