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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Genipin-crosslinked casein hydrogels for controlled drug delivery
Fei Song1, Li-Ming Zhang, Chuan Yang
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Key Laboratory for Polymeric Composite and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen (Zhongshan) University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|May 12, 2009
Summary
This study introduces novel casein hydrogels crosslinked with genipin, a natural compound. These biocompatible hydrogels show potential for controlled protein drug delivery, particularly in the intestine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Hydrogel technology is advancing towards biocompatible and non-toxic materials for pharmaceutical and biomedical uses.
- Naturally derived crosslinking agents are sought after to improve the safety profile of hydrogel formulations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel hydrogel materials by crosslinking casein protein with genipin.
- To investigate the gelation kinetics, mechanical properties, and swelling behavior of these casein-genipin hydrogels.
- To evaluate the potential of these hydrogels as carriers for protein drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Casein protein was crosslinked with genipin in an aqueous system.
- Rheometric measurements were used to study gelation kinetics under varying genipin concentrations and temperatures.
- (13)C NMR spectroscopy confirmed the crosslinking reaction.
- In vitro swelling and bovine serum albumin (BSA) release studies were conducted under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (pH 1.2 and pH 7.4).
Main Results:
- Genipin effectively crosslinked casein, forming hydrogel materials.
- Gelation time decreased with increasing genipin concentration and reaction temperature.
- Mechanical strength of the hydrogel was tunable by genipin amount.
- Hydrogels exhibited pH-dependent swelling and BSA release, with higher swelling and release at pH 7.4 compared to pH 1.2.
Conclusions:
- Genipin-crosslinked casein hydrogels are novel biocompatible materials.
- The properties of these hydrogels can be controlled by adjusting genipin concentration and reaction conditions.
- These hydrogels show promise as effective polymeric carriers for intestinal protein drug delivery.
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