Novel thermo- and pH-responsive hydroxypropyl cellulose- and poly (l-glutamic acid)-based microgels for oral insulin controlled release

Novel smart microgel particles made of poly (l-glutamic acid-2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate) (PGH) and hydroxypropyl cellulose-acrylic acid (HPC-AA) have been successfully prepared via emulsion polymerization. The dynamic light scattering measurement reveals that the average hydrodynamic radius 〈Rh〉 and hydrodynamic radius distributions f (Rh) of the microgel particles depend on the temperature and pH value thus the microgel particles exhibit both pH- and temperature-sensitivity. In vitro release study shows that the amount of insulin released from microgels in the gastric juice (at pH 1.2) is significantly less than that in the intestinal fluid (at pH 6.8). These results indicate that the resultant microgels are of potential for use in intelligent oral drug delivery systems.