A macromolecular prodrug of didanosine (ddI) for oral administration was synthesized and evaluated for in-vitro drug release profile. Didanosine was first coupled to 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) through a succinic spacer to form HEMA-Suc-ddI monomeric conjugate which was subsequently polymerized to yield Poly(HEMA-Suc-ddI) conjugate. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR, Mass and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The prodrug was subjected for in-vitro drug release studies in buffers of pH 1.2 and 7.4 mimicking the upper and lower GIT. The results showed that the drug release from the polymeric backbone takes place in a sustained manner over a period of 24 h and the amount of drug released was comparatively higher at pH 7.4 indicating that the drug release takes place predominantly at the alkaline environment of the lower GIT rather than at the acidic environment of the upper GIT. This pH dependent sustained drug release behavior of the prodrug may be capable of reducing the dose limiting toxicities by maintaining the plasma drug level within the therapeutic range and increasing t1/2 of ddI. Moreover, the bioavailability of the drug should be improved as the prodrug releases ddI predominantly in the alkaline environment which will reduce the degradation of ddI in the stomach acid.
