Fabrication and Characterization of Ibuprofen-Loaded Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Silica Hydrogel Nanocomposite for Controlled Drug Delivery Applications Publisher



Mirjalili F ; Mahmoodi M ; MIRZABABAIEIY ; Abdollahi F
Source: Progress in Biomaterials Published:2026

Abstract

Uncontrolled drug release and poor maintenance of the therapeutic window remain major challenges in conventional drug delivery systems. Therefore, the development of biocompatible controlled-release platforms has attracted considerable attention in pharmaceutical and biomedical engineering. In the present study, an ibuprofen-loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/silica hydrogel nanocomposite was successfully fabricated via a solvent mixing method and comprehensively characterized in terms of its physicochemical, swelling, degradation, drug release, and biological properties. Surface morphology analysis revealed a relatively smooth, homogeneous, and compact structure, indicating appropriate compatibility and strong intermolecular interactions among the hydrogel constituents. In addition, the ibuprofen nanoparticles distributed within the hydrogel matrix exhibited an average particle size of approximately 100 nm. The FTIR spectrum exhibits characteristic absorption bands associated with the formation of the PVP/silica composite structure.The fabricated nanocomposite demonstrated a maximum swelling ratio of nearly 350%, while the degradation rate reached approximately 65% after 6 days, confirming its suitable biodegradability for biomedical applications. Drug release studies demonstrated a moderate initial release of approximately 30% within the first 20 minutes, followed by a sustained, uniform, and diffusion-controlled release behavior. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation using the MTT assay confirmed the non-cytotoxic and biocompatible nature of the prepared hydrogel nanocomposite. Therefore, the developed PVP/silica hydrogel nanocomposite exhibited promising potential as a safe and efficient controlled drug delivery platform for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. © 2026 The Author(s). Published by the OICC Press.