Hydrogels based on chitosan and dextran as potential drug delivery systems

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Bioartificial polymeric materials offer potential for controlled drug delivery.
• Hydrogels are widely investigated for their ability to encapsulate and release therapeutic agents.
• Human growth hormone (GH) delivery requires systems that ensure sustained and effective release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro release of human growth hormone (GH) from poly(vinyl-alcohol) (PVA) blended with dextran or chitosan hydrogels.
• To evaluate the potential of these hydrogels as GH delivery systems.
• To analyze the influence of hydrogel composition and initial GH concentration on release kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of hydrogels by blending PVA with dextran or chitosan using a freeze-thawing method.
• Loading of hydrogels with GH and in vitro release studies over 3 weeks.
• Monitoring of PVA release and structural analysis using scanning electron microscopy.

Main Results:

• Sustained release of GH was observed from both dextran/PVA and chitosan/PVA hydrogels.
• The total amount of GH released was influenced by the initial GH concentration and the proportion of biological polymer.
• A low percentage of PVA was released, correlating with the dextran and chitosan content.

Conclusions:

• Dextran/PVA and chitosan/PVA hydrogels are suitable for the controlled delivery of human growth hormone (GH).
• The composition of the hydrogel significantly impacts GH release kinetics.
• These bioartificial hydrogels demonstrate promise as effective GH delivery systems.