Injectable Sodium Hyaluronate Hydrogels Modified by Ionic and Nonionic Polymers Loaded with Prednisolone Disodium...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Pharmaceutics

Background:

• Degenerative joint disease causes significant disability.
• Glucocorticosteroids and hyaluronic acid are common treatments but effective delivery systems are needed.
• Injectable hydrogels offer a promising approach for intra-articular drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop injectable hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels for prednisolone disodium phosphate (PSP) delivery.
• To investigate molecular interactions between PSP and various polymer networks (PA, AX, PVA-PVP, PEG).
• To determine how these interactions affect hydrogel structure, viscosity, and drug release kinetics.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of HA-based hydrogels with synthetic polymers (PA, AX, PVA-PVP, PEG) loaded with PSP.
• Characterization of hydrogel viscosity (Brookfield viscometer), intermolecular interactions (ATR-FTIR, DSC), and drug release (paddle-over-disc apparatus).
• Analysis of release kinetics using various mathematical models (zero-, first-, second-order, Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas, Peppas-Sahlin).

Main Results:

• PSP incorporation altered hydrogel viscosity, with excipient type significantly influencing the outcome.
• ATR-FTIR and DSC confirmed hydrogen bonding between PSP and HA, PA, AX, and PEG.
• The polyacrylic acid (PA)-containing formulation showed the most robust network and highest viscosity, with anomalous drug transport (release exponent n ≈ 0.59).

Conclusions:

• HA-based hydrogels demonstrate favorable molecular interactions with PSP.
• The PA-modified hydrogel exhibits enhanced viscosity and network structure, suitable for controlled drug release.
• These findings support the potential of these injectable hydrogels for intra-articular delivery of PSP.