Fabrication and Evaluation of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/Eudragit L-100 Hydrogels with Fusidic Acid to Promote Eczema Treatment

Abstract

In this study, hydrogels containing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), Eudragit L-100, and fusidic acid in different compositions were prepared with the confinement method by using ammonium persulfate (APS) as a chemical initiator and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker to determine the most suitable formulation for use in eczema treatment. Fusidic acid (FA)-confined pHEMA/Eudragit L-100 in synthesis of the hydrogel was used with the Taguchi method, and the optimum synthesis conditions were determined. The swelling percentages of the hydrogels were calculated in different pH environments and distilled water. Also, the cream formulations developed and contained in chitosan and HEMA-based polymers were synthesized. Viscosity and pH values changed between 30,000 and 100,000 cP and between 5 and 6 for different cream formulations with various conditions, respectively. Also, swelling percentages of hydrogels were between 20 and 40. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to characterize the hydrogel structure and the cream formulations. In addition, the stability of the formulations to 28 days and the changes in parameters such as appearance, centrifugation, pH, relative density, viscosity, spreading were evaluated, comparatively.