Biodegradable shape-memory poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane nanocomposites: sustained drug release and hydrolytic degradation

Abstract

Biodegradable shape-memory poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/trisilanolphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (TspPOSS) nanocomposite films loaded with drug (theophylline) were prepared by a solution blending followed by solvent casting method. PCL/TspPOSS nanocomposite (90 wt/10 wt) loaded with 10 wt% drug exhibited fairly good thermally-triggered shape memory behavior with a shape fixity ratio of 81% and shape recovery ratio of 85%. In vitro drug release studies in the phosphate buffer solution (PBS; pH=7.4) revealed that the TspPOSS nanocrystals caused sustained release of the drug for the nanocomposites. It was also shown that TspPOSS enhanced the hydrolytic degradation rate of the PCL matrix. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.