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Implantable starch-based extrudates for controlled release of corticosteroids
Paulo Vitor França Lemos1, Julian Marcel Kunert1, Marie-Luise Trutschel1
1Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X
|August 10, 2026
Summary
New starch-based implants offer a promising biodegradable solution for localized postoperative pain and inflammation management. These systems demonstrate rapid hydration and controlled corticosteroid release, improving recovery potential.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Effective postoperative pain and inflammation management is crucial for patient recovery.
- Biodegradable implantable systems offer localized drug delivery for improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Starch-based matrices present an alternative to polyesters (PLA, PLGA) due to favorable degradation properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize novel starch-based extrudates containing dexamethasone derivatives for localized postoperative pain and inflammation therapy.
- To evaluate the hydration, degradation, and drug release profiles of these starch-based systems.
- To investigate the influence of extrudate diameter on drug release kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of flexible cylindrical starch-based extrudates (600 μm and 1000 μm diameters) using pharmaceutical excipients.
- Hydration and swelling studies to assess matrix stability.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (¹H NMR and low-field ¹H NMR relaxometry) to confirm cyclodextrin dissolution and analyze molecular reorganization.
- In vitro apparent solubility and drug release studies in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
Main Results:
- Starch extrudates exhibited rapid water uptake and swelling (~30%) within 1 hour without disintegration.
- Cyclodextrin-containing extrudates showed early erosion within 24 hours due to cyclodextrin dissolution.
- NMR studies confirmed hydration-induced molecular reorganization and reduced chain mobility in the starch matrix.
- Drug release was dependent on extrudate diameter, with smaller (600 μm) extrudates showing faster release kinetics.
- Dexamethasone and dexamethasone acetate solubility increased in the presence of cyclodextrin.
Conclusions:
- Starch-based extrudates are suitable biodegradable platforms for localized drug delivery.
- These systems facilitate rapid hydration and tunable, sustained release of corticosteroids.
- The findings support the potential application of starch-based implants for managing postoperative pain and inflammation.
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