Synthesis of a Novel Chitosan-Based Polymer and Application as a Matrix for Controlled Drug Delivery

The Ugi reaction was used to prepare hydrophobically modified chitosan through covalent tethering ofbenzaldehyde, phenyl acetic acid, and cyclohexyl isocvanidc. The new polymer was characterized by infraredspectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The generated semi-synthetic polymer was employed toprepare a drug-loaded matrix that was evaluated in vitro as potentially orally administered sustained-releasedelivery system. Caffeine was used as the loaded model drug. The generated matrix proved to be successful inprolonging drug release with near zero order release kinetics.