Synthesis and Characterization of Cyclodextrin-containing Hydrogel for Ophthalmic Drugs Delivery.

Hydrogel contact lenses are ideal drug carriers for ophthalmic drugs delivery. However, some drawbacks of traditional hydrogel restricted their application in the drug delivery field. Herein, we introduced chitosan and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) into traditional hydrogel in order to improve the properties and control drug release. β-CD functionized and crosslinkable chitosan derivative (CCH) was synthesized and introduced into HEMA/NVP monomers to form HNC tripolymer hydrogel. The introduction of CCH accelerated the polymerization of monomers. Other properties such as equilibrium swelling ratio and oxygen transmissibility of HNC hydrogel were superior to that of HN hydrogel. The capacity of HNC hydrogel to resist the protein absorption was also superior to that of HN hydrogel. Hydrogels exhibited different capacity of drug loading and releasing for different drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]