Hydrogels for Potential Colon Drug Release by Thiol‐ene Conjugate Addition of a New Inulin Derivative

Abstract Inulin was chosen as a starting polymer for biocompatible, pH‐sensitive and biodegradable hydrogels. Three INUDVSA‐TT hydrogels were obtained by crosslinking inulin derivatives with trimethylolpropane tris(3‐mercaptopropionate) under varying conditions. The resulting hydrogels were cell compatible, as demonstrated by MTS and trypan blue exclusion assays acting on Caco‐2 cells, and were biodegraded by inulinase and esterase, thus suggesting their use as colonic drug delivery systems. 2‐Methoxyestradiol, an anti‐cancer drug, was soaked in INUDVSA‐TT hydrogels and its in vitro release and apoptotic effect on Caco‐2 cells were evaluated. magnified image