In vitro controlled release of polymeric drug-saccharide conjugates with ketoprofen, ibuprofen, and naproxen pendants

Polymerizable monomers of glucose and three types of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were prepared. Free radical polymerization of the resulting monomers was carried out in DMF. The polymers with drug pendent were characterized using FTIR, NMR, and GPC spectroscopy. Following hydrolysis of polymeric drug‐saccharide conjugates at 37°C, the cumulative released of naproxen, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen were 70, 55, and 30% after 10 days, respectively. Half‐lives (t1/2) of the copolymers were calculated through the first 12 h and these were found to be 4.2, 5.3, and 7.8 h, suggesting a slow and sustained drug release mechanism. The drug release profiles were also carried out at different pH, temperature, and ionic strength and solution varieties. It was concluded that different release profiles occurred and were dependent on temperature and pH. It was apparent that the polymeric drug‐saccharide conjugate had the potential to be developed as a system that enhances drug delivery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011