Influence of the properties of modified dextran hydrogel polymer network on the kinetics of the release of prospidin antitumor agent

Abstract

The influence exerted by the conditions of the synthesis of dextran phosphate hydrogels in the orthophosphoric acid–urea system on their functional composition and swellability in water was studied. The main parameters of the polymer network, namely, the mean molecular mass of segments between cross-linking points, the pore size, and the cross-linking density, were determined. Samples of prospidin immobilized on dextran phosphate hydrogels were prepared, and the kinetics of the cytostatic release into phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) was studied in relation to the functional composition and parameters of the polymer network of the support. The prospidin release from dextran phosphate hydrogels is due both to diffusion processes and to breakdown of the polymer network of the hydrogel.