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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
11:32
Characteristics of Precipitation-formed Polyethylene Glycol Microgels Are Controlled by Molecular Weight of Reactants
Published on: December 23, 2013
Relation between structural and release properties in a polysaccharide gel system.
M R Mangione1, D Giacomazza, G Cavallaro
1CNR, Istituto di Biofisica @ Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa, 153 I-90146 Palermo, Italy.
Biophysical Chemistry
|May 22, 2007
Summary
Kappa-carrageenan gels offer tunable texture for controlled drug release devices. These novel gels demonstrate efficient Ketoprofen sodium salt release, outperforming commercial products for topical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Carrageenan gels are explored for drug delivery applications.
- Controlling gel properties is crucial for effective drug release.
- Ketoprofen sodium salt serves as a model drug for evaluating release kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate kappa-carrageenan gels as potential drug release devices.
- To correlate gel structural properties with in vitro drug release profiles.
- To compare the performance of carrageenan gel drug release with commercial products.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of kappa-carrageenan gels with varying salt compositions.
- Characterization of gel structural properties using static light scattering and rheological measurements.
- In vitro drug release studies of Ketoprofen sodium salt at pH 5.5.
Main Results:
- Gel texture is controllable via cationic concentration.
- Drug release kinetics are directly influenced by the gel matrix's structural properties.
- Kappa-carrageenan gel formulations achieved near-complete drug release within typical topical application times, exceeding commercial product performance.
Conclusions:
- Kappa-carrageenan gels provide a versatile platform for developing topical drug delivery systems.
- The study offers insights into tailoring gel matrices for optimized drug release profiles.
- These findings support the development of advanced topical release systems using carrageenan hydrogels.
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