Abstract:
Introduction: Nowadays the use of synthetic polymers has become an integral part of modern medicine. Poly(2-hy-
droxyethyl methacrylate) has attracted special attention for therapeutic use. The objective of this study was to devel-
op novel polymeric material based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) by addition of water as pore-forming agent
and antimicrobial components, which would differ from similar materials by controlled release of active substances.
Methods: The antimicrobial release kinetics study materials were immersed into distilled water followed by sampling
and measuring their concentration. Concentration of chlorhexidine bigluconate and metronidazole was determined
using spectrophotometric method and decamethoxine by photocolorimetric method based on reaction with eosin.
The swelling rate was determined by gravimetric method. Results: Conventional dressing materials, after being
soaked with antiseptic solutions, have demonstrated limited abilities in releasing active substances. Gauze pads
were found to release antimicrobials during a short period of time reaching 50–80 % for decamethoxine containing
samples and almost 100 % for those with metronidazole and chlorhexidine bigluconate at 2 h of observation. No
study active substances were released from activated charcoal dressings. Similar results were obtained with porcine
xenografts. Unlike the above mentioned dressing materials, modified polymer matrix based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl
methacrylate) showed the controlled release of antimicrobial substances into water medium. Study material contain-
ing 3.0 % of decamethoxine and 76.3 % of water demonstrated optimal efficiency in the rate and duration of release,
exerting high physical and mechanical properties. Conclusion: The synthesized polymers are similar to conventional
dressings in antimicrobial release kinetics, but in some characteristics they are better for practical application.
