Controlled delivery of salicylic acid derivatives from photopolymerizable methacrylate matrices governed by drug–polymer interactions

This work describes the development of new photopolymerizable drug delivery systems based on imidazolium methacrylate networks, utilizing various crosslinking agents for the controlled release of salicylates. Four drugs were examined: salicylic acid (SA), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), salicylamide (SD), and methyl salicylate (MS). The polymeric networks exhibited good mechanical properties and excellent cytocompatibility. Drug release profiles revealed distinctive behaviors: ASA showed immediate, complete release within 90 minutes, while SA and SD showed temperature-responsive sustained release. MS showed the greatest matrix retention. Release mechanisms were governed by drug-polymer interactions, rather than solely by the swelling phenomenon, where phenolic groups played a significant role in drug retention. SEM analysis revealed drug-dependent morphological changes, where ASA formulations consisted of interconnecting networks of pores. These tunable systems demonstrate considerable potential for customized medical applications, enabling the controlled delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as those used in stents or tissue engineering scaffolds.