Nanoparticle-Embedded GelMA/NIPAm Hydrogels: A Temperature-Responsive Hybrid System for Controlled Drug Release

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Temperature-responsive hydrogels offer controlled release triggered by environmental changes.
• Polymeric nanoparticles enhance drug encapsulation and delivery efficiency.
• Combining these technologies can create advanced drug delivery platforms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel temperature-responsive drug delivery system using GelMA/NIPAm hydrogels and phenytoin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles.
• To characterize the physicochemical properties, swelling behavior, drug release kinetics, and biocompatibility of the developed system.
• To evaluate the potential of this system for efficient and temperature-sensitive drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Preparation and characterization of phenytoin (PHT)-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles.
• Fabrication and characterization of gelatin methacryloyl/N-isopropylacrylamide (GelMA/NIPAm) hydrogels incorporating PHT-PLGA nanoparticles.
• Evaluation using FTIR, SEM, DSC, XRD, DLS, swelling tests, drug release studies, and cell viability assays.

Main Results:

• Drug-loaded nanoparticles had a hydrodynamic diameter of 223.7 nm and negative zeta potential.
• Hydrogels exhibited temperature-dependent swelling, decreasing with increasing temperature (9.0 at 25°C to 6.0 at 40°C).
• Sustained phenytoin release was observed, with higher release at elevated temperatures (∼34% at 40°C vs. ∼20% at 37°C over 7 days).
• Cell viability assays showed no cytotoxicity and potential for cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The developed GelMA/NIPAm hydrogel system effectively incorporates PHT-loaded PLGA nanoparticles.
• The system demonstrates significant temperature-responsive swelling and controlled drug release properties.
• This hydrogel platform shows promise for efficient, temperature-sensitive, and controlled drug delivery applications.