Imprinted hydrophilic nanospheres as drug delivery systems for 5-fluorouracil sustained release

Molecularly imprinted hydrogel nanospheres as devices for the controlled/sustained release of 5-fluororacil in biological fluids were synthesized employing one-pot precipitation technique as the polymerization method. Methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and ethylene glycole dimethacrylate as a cross-linker were used in polymeric feed. Morphological and hydrophilic properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy and water content measurement, and recognition and selectivity properties of spherical molecularly imprinted polymers were compared with the spherical non-imprinted polymers, both in organic (acetonitrile) and water media. Finally, in vitro release studies were performed in plasma simulating fluids.