The present study reports the synthesis and characterization of 12 drug delivery systems (DDS) for the co-delivery of antifungal and antiviral agents. The systems were obtained by an in situ hydrogelation method of 6 chitosan oligomers with values of the polymerization degree between 14 and 51, with 2-formylphenylboronic acid, in the presence of tenofovir. The structural characterization by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of imine linkages, while WXRD revealed the 3D layered architecture of the systems. SEM and POM images demonstrated the uniform distribution of tenofovir into the matrix, while the Zeta potential measurements revealed the strong interactions which develop between system components. The obtained DDSs presented biodegradability, hemocompatibility and in vivo biocompatibility, which along with their ability to release both the drug and the antifungal aldehyde make them promising materials for the treatment of HIV infection and its associated co-infections' symptoms.
Keywords: Antimicrobial hydrogels; Antiviral; Biocompatible; Chitooligosaccharides; Tenofovir.
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