Development of enzymatically crosslinked natural deep eutectogels: versatile gels for enhanced drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Drug Delivery

Background:

• Injectable hydrogels are valued for minimally invasive applications.
• Conventional hydrogels face limitations in stability and application speed.
• Natural deep eutectic systems (NADES) offer a promising alternative to water in gel formulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize novel eutectogels using NADES instead of water.
• To investigate the gelation properties and drug delivery capabilities of these eutectogels.
• To assess the biocompatibility of the eutectogel components.

Main Methods:

• Eutectogels were prepared using a betaine:glycerol (1:2) NADES and gelatine-phenol conjugated polymer.
• Enzymatic crosslinking was achieved using horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
• Ketoprofen was loaded into the eutectogel matrix, and its release profile was studied.

Main Results:

• Eutectogels achieved gelation in 30-50 seconds with lower HRP concentrations (5-10 U mL⁻¹) compared to hydrogels (>2 minutes with 15 U mL⁻¹).
• The NADES-based eutectogels demonstrated controlled release of up to 70% ketoprofen within 10 days.
• In vitro evaluation indicated no cytotoxic effects from the eutectogel components, suggesting potential biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Eutectogels represent a stable and efficient alternative to traditional hydrogels for injectable applications.
• These novel gels are effective matrices for the controlled delivery of ketoprofen in aqueous environments.
• The inherent biocompatibility of the components suggests promising applications in drug delivery systems.