Controlled release gelatin hydrogels and lyophilisates with potential application as ocular inserts

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Hydrogels and lyophilisates are advanced drug delivery systems.
• Gelatin-based materials offer biocompatibility for biomedical applications.
• Glaucoma treatment requires effective and safe ocular drug delivery methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize gelatin-based hydrogels and lyophilisates.
• To evaluate their potential for controlled release of pilocarpine hydrochloride for glaucoma.
• To assess the biocompatibility of these novel biomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Chemical crosslinking of gelatin using N-hydroxysuccinimide and N, N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride.
• Characterization of crosslinking degree, morphology, and water uptake.
• In vitro drug release studies of pilocarpine hydrochloride and biocompatibility testing using corneal endothelial cells.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of gelatin hydrogels and lyophilisates with varying crosslinking degrees.
• In vitro release of pilocarpine hydrochloride ranged from 29.2% to 99.2% over 8 hours.
• Korsmeyer-Peppas analysis indicated anomalous transport for pilocarpine release; corneal cell tests confirmed non-cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• Gelatin-based hydrogels and lyophilisates are promising non-cytotoxic biomaterials for ocular drug delivery.
• The developed systems exhibit controlled release kinetics suitable for pilocarpine hydrochloride.
• These materials show potential for improved glaucoma treatment strategies.