Solvent Removal Salicylic Acid-Loaded Myristic Acid-Based In Situ Forming Gel.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Developing effective drug delivery systems for localized oral treatments is crucial.
• In situ forming gels (ISGs) offer advantages for sustained drug release.
• Salicylic acid (SAL) is a key therapeutic agent with potential for oral applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel solvent removal-based in situ forming gel (ISG) loaded with salicylic acid (SAL).
• To utilize myristic acid (MYR) as a matrix-forming agent for enhanced drug delivery.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties, drug release kinetics, and antimicrobial activity of the SAL-loaded ISG.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of SAL-loaded MYR-based ISGs using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvents.
• Evaluation of physicochemical properties, including viscosity, gelation kinetics, and mechanical characteristics.
• In vitro drug release studies and kinetic analysis using the Peppas-Sahlin model.
• Assessment of antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens.

Main Results:

• Increasing MYR content enhanced viscosity, gel formation, and depot integrity, prolonging SAL release up to 20 days.
• The Peppas-Sahlin model best described the diffusion-dominated drug release kinetics.
• The optimized formulation demonstrated acceptable injectability, reproducible in situ formation, and sustained drug retention.
• SAL retained significant antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens, with some contribution from the solvents.

Conclusions:

• Myristic acid (MYR)-based ISGs are a feasible system for sustained localized oral drug delivery of salicylic acid (SAL).
• The developed ISG system effectively controls SAL release and maintains its therapeutic efficacy.
• This MYR-based ISG technology holds promise for improved oral treatment strategies.