Thermoresponsive biodegradable HEMA-Lactate-Dextran-co-NIPA cryogels for controlled release of simvastatin

NIPA and HEMA-lactate-Dextran-based biodegradable and thermoresponsive cryogels were synthesized at different compositions by cryogelation. Chemical and morphological properties of the HEMA-lactate-Dextran-co-NIPA cryogel matrices were demonstrated by FTIR, SEM, and ESEM. Thermoresponsivity of the prepared cryogels was investigated by DSC, imaging NMR, and swelling studies. For possible use of the cryogels in potential bone tissue engineering applications, either hydrophobic simvastatin was embedded, or hydrophilic simvastatin was incorporated in the cryogels. Release profiles of simvastatin delivering cryogel scaffolds depending on their composition, hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity of loaded simvastatin and the medium temperature were demonstrated.