Lubrication and Dynamically Controlled Drug Release Properties of Tween 85/Tween 80/H₂O Lamellar Liquid Crystals

Lamellar liquid crystals have amazing lubricating and drug-solubilizing properties. Hence, the combination of drug molecules with lamellar liquid crystals is expected to be used in joint lubrication and treatment. In this study, the partial phase diagram of the Tween 85/Tween 80/H₂O three-component system was determined. The phase structure of the system changed from a hexagonal liquid crystal to a lamellar liquid crystal with the increase of Tween 85 content. The lamellar liquid crystals showed superior lubricating properties due to their unique lamellar structure. Furthermore, the model of drug release during friction was established for the first time. It was found that the order of the lamellar liquid crystals increased with the increase of the mass ratio of Tween 85/Tween 80, leading to the decrease of the ibuprofen release rate. In addition, the release rate of ibuprofen increased progressively with the increase of the friction frequency, but the load had little effect on it. Therefore, the lamellar liquid crystals consisting of nonionic surfactants with good biocompatibility have potential application prospects for joint lubrication and treatment of arthritis.