Synthesis and characterization of the azadirachta indica gum–polyacrylamide interpenetrating network for biomedical applications

Abstract

Herein this present work, graft copolymerization of the polyacrylamide onto azadirachta indica gum polysaccharide was carried out in the presence of crosslinker to form the interpenetrating network structure in hydrogels for use in biomedical applications. The crosslinked polymers were characterized by cryo-SEM, AFM, FTIR, and 13C-NMR and swelling studies. The cryo SEM images confirmed the porous crosslinked network in polymers formed by covalent linkage. The change in polyacrylamide and crosslinker content during the formation of the gel has influenced the porosity which was inferred from the swelling and network parameter evaluation of the hydrogels. The cross linking density 0.81 × 10-5 mol cm−3 and mesh size 63.0 nm of hydrogels was found in pH 7.4 buffer. The methyl prednisolone released followed non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The biocompatibility of grafted/crosslinked polymers was inferred from results of thrombogenicity (59.54 ± 4.08%) and haemolytic index (3.12 ± 0.52%). The antioxidant nature was confirmed from the DPPH radical scavenging assay (49.24 ± 8.57%). Overall, the modification of the gum led to the formation of hydrogels to be used in drug carrier for the colonic ailments.