Aripiprazole-imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogel patches for enhanced drug release

Abstract Controlled drug release minimizes side effects by reducing dosage, and when biocompatible cryogels are combined with molecularly imprinted polymers, they provide an effective and targeted method for drug delivery. In this study, pHEMA-based cryogel patches were synthesized by molecularly imprinting aripiprazole (ARP), which is widely used in the treatment of neurological diseases. The synthesized cryogel patches were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The study demonstrated that the release behavior of ARP from cryogel patches was significantly influenced by factors such as cross-linker ratio, pH, and drug loading concentration. The cumulative drug release percentage reached 79% for an ARP loading concentration of 1.5 mg/mL. Additionally, cryogel patches showed biocompatibility, with over 80% cell viability at 48 h, confirming their potential for safe and effective drug delivery applications. The release kinetics were discussed, demonstrating the material’s potential suitability for future biomedical applications.