Controlled Release of Naproxen Sodium from Supermacroporous Cryogels

Cryogels are gel matrices that have interconnected macropores and are formed in freezing-thawing systems. These interconnected macropores give elasticity to cryogels. Transdermal controlled-release systems can be used to deliver drugs with short biological half-life and can maintain plasma levels of very potent drugs within a narrow therapeutic range for prolonged periods. In this study, cryogels have been used in a different area--transdermal controlled-release system, to obtain controlled drug release medium. For this purpose, naproxen sodium has been selected as a model drug. Naproxen, a propionic acid derivative, is a NSAID （nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug）. For controlled releasing of naproxen sodium, cryogels that have naproxen sodium in macropores have been prepared in sheet form for local application. Acrylamide based cryogel bands have been synthesized by flee radical cryogelation process. These cryogel bands have different pore size and includes naproxen sodium in their pores. This cryogel material has been characterized by swelling tests and SEM. Then, releasing ofnaproxen sodium from cryogels has been investigated at two different pH values, 7.4 and 5.5. According to experimental data, it has seen that these cryogel matrices that including naproxen sodium in macropores could be used in controlled drug releasing systems as bandages or other transdermal controlled releasing agents at room temperature