Preparation and application of poly(α-L-lysine)-based interpenetrating network hydrogel via synchronous free-radical polymerization and amine-anhydride reaction in water

Drug- controlled delivery can effectively avoid excessive drug use and improve the utilization rate of drugs and reduce the harm of drugs to the body. Herein, a novel poly(α-L-lysine)-based interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel with thermo/pH sensitivity was fabricated by synchronous free-radical polymerization and amine-anhydride click reaction in one pot. The hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The IPN hydrogels well integrated thermo-sensitivity and pH-sensitivity of two single-network hydrogels. The experimental results showed that the IPN hydrogel exhibited different swelling properties at different pH and temperatures. Finally, the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) was chosen as a model drug to investigate the controlled release behavior of the hydrogel. The study showed that the release behavior of 5-Fu from the IPN hydrogel depended on temperature and pH changes, which followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. The IPN hydrogel is expected to be a candidate material for drug sustained-release carriers.