Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogels as Carriers for Modulated Delivery of Acetaminophen
Snežana Ilić-Stojanović1, Ljubiša Nikolić1, Vesna Nikolić1
1Faculty of Technology, University of Niš, Bulevar oslobodjenja 124, 16000 Leskovac, Serbia.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 27, 2023
Summary
Temperature-sensitive hydrogels made from N-isopropyl acrylamide and 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate show potential for drug delivery. These p(NIPA/HPMA) hydrogels efficiently loaded and released acetaminophen, offering a promising alternative to frequent oral administration.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science and Engineering
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Oral administration of acetaminophen, a common NSAID, poses risks like overdose and requires frequent dosing (up to four times daily).
- Temperature-sensitive hydrogels offer a potential solution for controlled and extended drug release, aiming for once-daily administration.
- Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate) (p(NIPA/HPMA)) copolymers are explored for their suitability in advanced drug delivery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize temperature-sensitive p(NIPA/HPMA) hydrogels.
- To evaluate the thermal, morphological, and swelling properties of the synthesized hydrogels.
- To assess the potential of these hydrogels as a drug delivery system for acetaminophen.
Main Methods:
- Polymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide and 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate to form temperature-sensitive hydrogels.
- Characterization using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Acetaminophen loading and release studies analyzed via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) under simulated gastrointestinal conditions.
Main Results:
- p(NIPA/HPMA) hydrogels exhibited characteristic thermal transitions (melting and glass transitions) and temperature-dependent swelling behavior.
- FTIR analysis confirmed hydrogen bonding between acetaminophen and the hydrogel matrix, with SEM showing drug presence within the hydrogel pores.
- Loading efficiency exceeded 92%, and 90-99% of loaded acetaminophen was released within 24 hours, with determined kinetic parameters.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized temperature-sensitive p(NIPA/HPMA) hydrogels demonstrate favorable properties for drug delivery applications.
- The hydrogels effectively loaded and released acetaminophen, indicating potential for modulated, extended drug administration.
- Further investigation is warranted to optimize these hydrogels for practical, once-daily drug delivery systems.
Keywords:
2-hydroxypropylmethacrylateDSCN-isopropyl acrylamideacetaminophendrug carrierhydrogelsmodulated drug releaseMore Related Videos
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