Abstract: PEG-based macromers containing anhydride bonds were synthesized and photopolymerized to form degradable gels and characterized via FTIR and ¹H NMR. Indomethacin as a model of poorly water-soluble drug was embedded in the degradable poly(ether-anhydride) photocrosslinked network, which had good swelling properties. The drug was proved to be distributed in an amorphous or molecular state in the crosslinked network and the physical morphology of the drug remained stable after two months storage demostrated by employing X-ray diffraction. Dissolution tests showed that the drug in the network displayed a better dissolution rate and more cumulative drug release than the crystal raw indomethacin. This method could increase the dissolution rate and inhibit recrystallization of indomethacin in the degradable photocrosslinked gels.

Key words: Photocrosslink, Degradable poly(ether-anhydride), Gel, Indomethacin, Increase dissolution rate