Functionalized amino acid-based injectable hydrogels for sustained drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Injectable hydrogels are promising drug delivery vehicles but face challenges with biodegradability and biocompatibility.
• Existing hydrogels may compromise therapeutic effectiveness due to poor material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a modified amino acid-based pH-responsive injectable shear-thinning hydrogel for enhanced drug delivery.
• To create an efficient drug carrier with improved biocompatibility, biodegradability, and controlled release capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a hydrogel (cl-β-CD-g-p(Gly-MA)) using glycine methacrylate (Gly-MA) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) crosslinked with EGDMA.
• Investigated the hydrogel's properties, including injectability, pH-responsiveness, biocompatibility, and hemocompatibility.
• Evaluated the in vitro loading and release of diclofenac sodium (DS).

Main Results:

• The developed hydrogel exhibits enhanced biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and biodegradability due to its biomaterial components.
• The shear-thinning and injectable nature allows for minimally invasive administration and prolonged drug retention.
• The pH-responsive hydrogel demonstrated controlled release of diclofenac sodium in vitro.

Conclusions:

• The novel cl-β-CD-g-p(Gly-MA) hydrogel is a promising platform for efficient and targeted drug delivery.
• Its unique properties address limitations of conventional hydrogels, offering potential for improved arthritis treatment.