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Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Cross-linked thermosensitive nanohydrogels for ocular drug delivery with a prolonged residence time and enhanced
Yu Wen1, Huanhuan Jia2, Zhenjie Mo1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center of Topical Precision Drug Delivery System, Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China; R&D Innovation Team for Controlled-release Microparticle Drug Delivery System, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China.
Aim:
A temperature-triggered, cross-linked nano hydrogel formulation (NPs-gel) was prepared to prolong the residence time of dexamethasone (DXM) in the eye and increase its bioavailability.
Research Design And Methods:
The NPs-gel was prepared by combining a high pressure homogenization method with a cold solution method. Soy lecithin E200, lecithin oil, glycerol, kolliphor P188, kolliphor P407, and polycarbophil were the excipients used for the formation of NPs-gel containing DXM. The nanoparticle size, temperature-sensitive phase transition characteristics, in vitro and in vivo release behavior, corneal permeability, and eye irritation level of the NPs-gel were evaluated.
Results:
The NPs-gel had slightly larger particle size than the DXM-loaded nanoparticles, yet it retained the properties of nanoparticles such as surface effect and size effect. The phase transition temperature was 33.2 °C, which is within the trigger conditions of intraocular temperature. Under physiological conditions, the adhesion and adhesion work of the NPs-gel were 1.1 and 2.1 times that of an in situ-formed gel, and the gel strength of NPs-gel was 1.8 times that of an in situ-formed gel. These results indicate that NPs-gel has greater adhesion and mechanical strength. The area under the curve of NPs-gel was 3.08 and 1.51 times that of DXM-loaded nanoparticles and in situ-formed gel, showing higher bioavailability.
Conclusion:
The NPs-gel is a suitable formulation to further enhance ocular drug delivery.
