Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
10:28
An Injectable and Drug-loaded Supramolecular Hydrogel for Local Catheter Injection into the Pig Heart
Published on: June 7, 2015
17.3K
Bigels based on polyelectrolyte complexes as vaginal drug delivery systems.
Raúl Cazorla-Luna1, Fernando Notario-Pérez2, Araceli Martín-Illana1
1Departamento de Farmacia Galénica y Tecnología Alimentaria, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n 28040, Madrid, Spain.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|December 10, 2024
Summary
New chitosan-based bigels form polyelectrolyte complexes for pH-independent drug release in vaginal environments. These versatile bigels offer tunable properties, improving upon current vaginal drug delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Bigels incorporating cationic chitosan and anionic polymers (karaya gum, pectin, xanthan gum) were prepared.
- Formation of polyelectrolyte complexes between these polymers modifies bigel characteristics.
- Freeze-dried bigels were tested for vaginal environment conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the swelling and drug release profiles of bigels in simulated vaginal conditions.
- To investigate the impact of polyelectrolyte complex formation on drug release.
- To assess the influence of polymer composition on bigel properties and mucoadhesivity.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of bigels using chitosan and anionic polymers.
- Freeze-drying of bigels.
- Evaluation of swelling and drug release in simulated vaginal media (normal and post-ejaculation).
Main Results:
- Polyelectrolyte complex formation resulted in pH-independent sustained drug release.
- Predominance of one polymer led to pH-dependent drug release, potentially useful therapeutically.
- Increased chitosan content improved mechanical properties; increased anionic polymer enhanced mucoadhesivity.
Conclusions:
- The developed bigels offer tunable physicochemical properties for vaginal drug delivery.
- Polyelectrolyte complex formation is key to achieving pH-independent sustained release.
- These versatile bigel systems present advantages over existing vaginal drug delivery formulations.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pore Transport and Ion-Pair Transport
363
Pore transport and ion-pair formation are critical mechanisms for the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body.
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct...
Pore transport, also known as convective transport, is a process where small molecules like urea, water, and sugars rapidly cross cell membranes as though there were channels or pores in the membrane. Although direct microscopic evidence is limited but the concept of pores or channels is widely accepted based on physiological evidence. Despite the lack of direct...
363
01:18Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
377
The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
377