Near-infrared light activatable hydrogels for metformin delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Drug-loaded hydrogels are effective for controlled release.
• Metformin hydrochloride is a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop heat-active hydrogels for transdermal metformin delivery.
• To investigate photothermal activation of graphene-based hydrogels for drug release.

Main Methods:

• Forming hydrogels by mixing graphene oxide (GO) or reduced graphene oxide (rGO-COOH) with metformin.
• Utilizing photothermal properties of graphene for hydrogel activation.
• Assessing metformin delivery and efficacy in vitro (human hepatocyte model) and in vivo (mice).

Main Results:

• Successful formation of heat-active hydrogels via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions.
• Photothermal activation achieved sustained transdermal metformin delivery at 1 W cm-2.
• In vitro studies confirmed metformin's activity on Glucose-6 Phosphatase (G6P) gene expression was unaffected by photothermal activation.
• In vivo, metformin was detected in mice plasma within 1 hour of activating metformin-loaded rGO-COOH gel.

Conclusions:

• Graphene-based hydrogels offer a promising platform for photothermally controlled transdermal drug delivery.
• This approach maintains the therapeutic efficacy of metformin.
• The developed system demonstrates potential for improved type 2 diabetes management.