Bioinspired Long-Acting Mucoadhesive Gastric Patch for Levothyroxine Delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Oral delivery of long-acting therapeutic dosage forms presents significant challenges.
• Levothyroxine sodium (LT) requires precise and consistent dosing for effective treatment.
• Existing delivery methods may not ensure sustained therapeutic levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a bioinspired mucoadhesive gastric patch for long-acting oral delivery of levothyroxine sodium (LT).
• To assess the adhesion, stability, and in vivo performance of the LT-loaded mucoadhesive patch in a rat model.

Main Methods:

• A three-layer mucoadhesive patch (core, mucoadhesive, backing) was fabricated using a 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid-chitosan conjugate.
• Water contact angles and adhesive strength to rat stomach mucosa were measured.
• LT-loaded patches were administered orally to rats, and plasma LT concentrations and inflammatory markers were monitored over 38 days.

Main Results:

• The mucoadhesive layer exhibited a water contact angle of 68 ± 1.4° and an adhesive strength of 25 ± 1.1 kPa.
• Patches remained adhered to the rat stomach for over 30 days.
• A single dose provided sustained LT plasma concentrations (87-126 ng/mL) for 38 days with no significant increase in inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6).
• Patches demonstrated stability after 6 months of storage at 5 ± 3 °C.

Conclusions:

• The bioinspired mucoadhesive gastric patch is a promising platform for sustained oral delivery of levothyroxine sodium.
• The developed system offers a potential solution for improving long-term therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.
• Further research may explore its applicability for other oral medications requiring long-acting delivery.