Empowering Arthritis Patients: Optimized Drug Delivery through Piroxicam Microcapsule-Embedded Scaffold Implants via...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Pharmaceutical Technology

Background:

• Innovative drug delivery systems are crucial for extended pain relief without adverse effects.
• Sustained pain management is a key healthcare objective, aiming to improve patient quality of life.
• Current limitations necessitate advanced systems for prolonged therapeutic action and suppressed side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an implantable drug delivery system using NSAID-loaded gelatin microcapsules within a gelatin scaffold.
• To enhance drug delivery efficiency and achieve sustained drug release for prolonged pain management.
• To optimize the system for improved therapeutic outcomes and patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Piroxicam-loaded microcapsules were prepared using a 1:1 ratio of poly lactic acid (PLA) and poly lacto glycolic acid (PLGA).
• Gelatin scaffolds were fabricated using Box Behnken Design and Design Expert software for optimization.
• Rod-shaped sub-dermal implants were created, focusing on entrapment efficiency and drug discharge properties.

Main Results:

• PLA/PLGA microcapsules exhibited optimal particle size, yield, entrapment efficiency, and drug discharge.
• Design Expert optimization led to highly favorable results for the implantable system.
• The microcapsule-loaded scaffolds demonstrated sustained drug discharge, indicating suitability for extended drug delivery.

Conclusions:

• The optimized implantable drug delivery system shows significant promise for sustained arthritis pain management.
• This innovative approach can potentially improve therapeutic outcomes and enhance patient quality of life.
• The prepared piroxicam-loaded microcapsule implants offer effective, all-day arthritis pain relief.