Chitosan/(ureasil-PEO hybrid) blend for drug delivery

The effect of chitosan addition on the structure and drug release properties of ureasil-polyethylene oxide (U-PEO) hybrid materials was examined. The hybrids and the blends were prepared by the sol-gel route and their structural features were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and small angle X-ray scattering. The different characterization techniques revealed the formation of transparent, rubbery, flexible, water-insoluble, and low crystalline chitosan/(U-PEO hybrid) blends, which could easily dissolve pramoxine (used as a model drug). The results showed that the combined addition of chitosan and pramoxine improved the compatibility of the organic and inorganic components of the U-PEO matrix, and provided a means of tailoring the amount of drug released at steady state equilibrium.