Synthesis and Characterization of Ciprofloxacin Loaded Star-Shaped Polycaprolactone–Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels for Oral Delivery

The administration of poorly water-soluble drugs represents a relevant problem due to the low body fluids transport efficiency through hydrophilic hydrogels. Star-shaped co-polymers, i.e., amphiphilic polymers such as those with hydrophobic core and outer shell, can be used improve weak interactions drugs, benefits in terms controlled delivery. In this work, two different four-arm star-shaped PCL–PEG six-arm PCL–PEG, were synthesized via ring-opening polymerization loaded ciprofloxacin. 1H-NMR FTIR analyses confirmed that PCL arms successfully grafted mPEG backbone, while DSC analysis indicated similar crystallinity melting point, ranging from 56 60 °C, independent co-polymer architecture. Therefore, both PCL-PEGs investigated cargo device for No significant differences observed drug entrapment (>95%) release, characterized by pronounced burst followed slow sustained only slightly affected This result was also curve fitting Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Lastly, good antibacterial properties biocompatibility exhibited co-polymers suggest promising use oral delivery applications.