The flow‐through diffusion cell (FTDC) method: a novel approach to in vitro drug release studies

Abstract

AbstractA terpolymeric semi‐interpenetrating network (IPN) has been synthesized by carrying out the aqueous polymerization of methacrylamide in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and natural polysaccharide starch, and its enzymatic degradation has been studied by a newly developed technique, known as the ‘flow‐through diffusion cell’ (FTDC) method, in a phosphate buffer medium of pH 6.8 at the physiological temperature, 37 °C. The hydrogel exhibits different degradation behaviors when studied by the ‘traditional degradation/dissolution test’ (TDT) or the FTDC method. The degradability is suppressed in the FTDC method, owing to the adsorption of amylase molecules onto the filler particles. The nature of the filler particles also affects the degradation behavior of the hydrogels. Finally, the release of the model drug, vitamin B12, from the degrading hydrogels has also been studied by the FTDC method. The results obtained indicated that the release behavior also depends on α‐amylase‐induced degradability. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry