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. 2023 Nov 4;15(21):4325.
doi: 10.3390/polym15214325.

Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer-Based Membranes for Methotrexate Drug Delivery

Ionela-Amalia Bradu  1   2 , Titus Vlase  1   2 , Mădălin Bunoiu  2   3 , Mădălina Grădinaru  2 , Alexandru Pahomi  1 , Dorothea Bajas  1 , Mihaela Maria Budiul  1   2 , Gabriela Vlase  1   2
Affiliations

Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer-Based Membranes for Methotrexate Drug Delivery

Ionela-Amalia Bradu et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Methotrexate or amethopterin or 4-amino-N10-methyl pteroylglutamic acid is used for treating autoimmune diseases, as well as certain malignancies. Drug delivery systems, which are based on biopolymers, can be developed to improve the therapeutic and pharmacological properties of topically administered drugs. Biopolymers improve the therapeutic effect of drugs, mainly by improving their biodistribution and modulating drug release. This study presents the synthesis of membranes based on anionic polysaccharides and cationic polysaccharides for transdermal delivery of the active ingredient methotrexate, as well as a compatibility study between methotrexate and each of the components used in the prepared membranes. The obtained membranes based on different marine polysaccharides, namely κ-carrageenan and chitosan, for the release of the active ingredient methotrexate were characterized using techniques such as TG, FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR microscopy, water absorption capacity, water vapor permeability, and biodegradation rate. Following the studies, the membranes suitable for the transdermal release of the active substance were validated.

Keywords: drug delivery; membranes; methotrexate; polymers; synthesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of MTX.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FTIR spectrum of Methotrexate.
Figure 3
Figure 3
FT-IR spectra of carrageenan-based membranes: MTX; CarGPVPMTX; CarGPVP; CarGPVAMTX; CarGPVA; CarGMTX; CarG; (Legend: Car–k-carrageenan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone, MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 4
Figure 4
FT-IR spectra of chitosan-based membranes–MTX; ChiGPVPMTX; ChiGPVP; ChiGPVAMTX; ChiGPVA; ChiGMTX; ChiG (Legend: Chi–chitosan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 5
Figure 5
TG (a) and DTG (b) curves of Car-based membranes: CarGPVP(−); CarGPVPMTX (−); CarG (−); CarGMTX (−); CarGPVA (−); CarGPVAMTX (−) (Legend: Car–k-carrageenan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 6
Figure 6
TG (a) and DTG (b) curves of Chi-based membranes: ChiGPVP (−); ChiGPVPMTX (−); ChiGMTX (−); ChiG (−); ChiGPVA (−); ChiGPVAMTX (−) (Legend: Chi–chitosan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 7
Figure 7
UV–VIS spectrum of MTX (−), CarGPVAMTX(−), and CarGPVPMTX (−) (Legend: Car–k−carrageenan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 8
Figure 8
UV–VIS spectrum of MTX (−), ChiGPVAMTX (−), and ChiGPVPMTX (−) (Legend: Chi–chitosan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Appearance of (a) CarGPVAMTX; (b) CarGPVPMTX; (c) ChiGPVAMTX; (d) ChiGPVPMTX (Legend: Car–k-carrageenan; Chi–chitosan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Degradation of membranes in lysozyme at 37 °C (CarGPVPMTX (−), CarGPVAMTX (−), ChiGPVPMTX (−), ChiGPVAMTX (−)) (Legend: Car–k-carrageenan; Chi–chitosan; G–glycerol; PVA–polyvinyl alcohol; PVP–polyvinylpirrolydone; MTX–methotrexate).
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