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Cytocompatible drug delivery hydrogels based on carboxymethylagarose/chitosan pH-responsive polyelectrolyte
J Andrés Ortiz1, Francesca Antonella Sepúlveda2, Concepción Panadero-Medianero3
1Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Biotecnología y Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Avenida Beaucheff 851, Santiago, Chile; Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Facultad de Química y Biología, Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Grupo Polímeros, Chile.
Novel carboxymethylagarose (CMA) and chitosan (CS) polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) form pH-responsive hydrogels for transdermal drug delivery. These hydrogels show promising diclofenac sodium release and cell viability for potential dermal applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Many drugs exhibit poor oral bioavailability due to gastric instability and limited intestinal absorption.
- Transdermal drug delivery offers an alternative route, targeting specific skin areas for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel pH-responsive polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) using carboxymethylagarose (CMA) and chitosan (CS) for transdermal drug delivery.
- To investigate the properties and drug release kinetics of CMA/CS hydrogels loaded with diclofenac sodium (DS).
Main Methods:
- CMA/CS hydrogels were prepared at various weight ratios, and their swelling behavior was optimized.
- Physicochemical characterization of PEC films was performed using ATR-FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM.
- Diclofenac sodium (DS) was loaded into the hydrogels, and its release profile was studied under physiological conditions.
Main Results:
- The highest swelling ratio was observed for 2:1 wt% CMA/CS hydrogels at 25°C and pH 6.0.
- ATR-FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM confirmed successful crosslinking of CMA and CS via ionic complexation.
- The CMA/CS PECs exhibited high drug loading (79%) and association efficiency (69%), with 67% cumulative DS release over 72 hours via Fickian diffusion.
- Cell viability assays (HaCat cells) showed ~100% survival, indicating good biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- CMA/CS PECs form effective pH-responsive hydrogels suitable for transdermal drug delivery.
- The developed hydrogels demonstrate controlled drug release and excellent biocompatibility.
- These findings suggest the potential of CMA/CS PECs as advanced carriers for dermal drug delivery applications.
