Molecularly imprinted acrylic-based microspheres for colonic delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid

Feasibility of molecularly imprinted polymeric microspheres (MIPs) has been investigated for colonic delivery of 5 aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). 5-ASA imprinted microspheres were prepared by a single step precipitation polymerization c 2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA; functional monomer) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIIV crosslinker). The release profiles of 5-ASA imprinted and non-imprinted microspheres were evaluated. We present precipitation polymerization method for preparing uniform molecularly imprinted microspheres in micron range, quickly an cleanly. Monodisperse polymer particles with good spherical shapes and smooth surfaces were obtained. Furthermore, th imprinted microspheres have a slower 5-ASA release in the initial stages than the non-imprinted microspheres, because c the interaction of the drug molecules with the recognition sites in the imprinted microspheres. This result showed ths molecular imprinting may have a potential for controlled delivery of drugs.