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Drug delivery via a 3D electro-swellable conjugated polymer hydrogel
Ilaria Abdel Aziz1,2, Johannes Gladisch1, Sophie Griggs3
1Laboratory of Organic Electronics, Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University, 601 74 Norrköping, Sweden. eleni.stavrinidou@liu.se.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 8, 2024
Summary
This study presents a new conjugated polymer hydrogel for electrically controlled drug delivery, capable of loading and releasing larger molecules like insulin. The material allows for patterned release and multiple reloads, advancing therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Electrically controlled drug delivery systems are crucial for minimizing side effects and enabling precise therapeutic dosing.
- Existing conjugated polymer (CP) systems are limited to delivering small molecules (up to 500 Da) due to incorporation constraints.
- Larger molecules typically require co-polymerization, restricting drug delivery to a single release event.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a conjugated polymer system capable of controlled delivery of larger molecules (800-6000 Da) using significant volume changes.
- To investigate the loading and release mechanisms of various molecular weights using a novel glycolated polythiophene (p(g3T2)).
- To demonstrate temporally patterned release and multiple reloading cycles for advanced drug delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a glycolated polythiophene (p(g3T2)) hydrogel exhibiting up to 300% reversible volume change upon electrochemical doping.
- Developed p(g3T2)-coated 3D carbon sponges for controlled loading and release of molecules.
- Investigated loading via electrostatic interactions and physical entrapment, and release dynamics for molecules up to 6000 Da, including insulin.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated controlled loading and release of molecules ranging from 800-6000 Da, including the hormone insulin.
- Showcased temporally patterned release of a 1300 Da molecule.
- Achieved multiple reloading and release cycles without compromising the system's on/off switching ratio.
Conclusions:
- The p(g3T2) conjugated polymer hydrogel enables controlled delivery of a wide range of molecule sizes, overcoming previous limitations.
- The system facilitates precise temporal control over drug release and allows for repeated loading and unloading cycles.
- This technology holds significant potential for advanced spatiotemporal drug delivery systems and therapeutic applications.
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