Biocompatible Cyclodextrin-Cannabinoid Agar-Xanthan Gum Hydrogels for Controlled Delivery and Antimicrobial...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Antimicrobial Therapeutics

Background:

• Development of advanced biomaterials is crucial for effective soft-tissue biomedical applications.
• Controlled release of active compounds like cannabinoids requires sophisticated delivery systems.
• Antimicrobial properties are essential for preventing infections in biomedical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop multifunctional agar/xanthan hydrogels incorporating hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) inclusion complexes of nonpsychoactive cannabinoids (cannabidiol, CBD; cannabinol, CBN).
• To evaluate these hydrogels as platforms for controlled delivery and antimicrobial soft-tissue biomedical applications.
• To assess the physicochemical properties, release kinetics, antimicrobial activity, and cytocompatibility of the developed hydrogels.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of agar/xanthan hydrogels with HP-β-CD inclusion complexes of CBD and CBN.
• Physicochemical characterization including thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and network morphology.
• In vitro release studies to determine drug release kinetics over 72 hours.
• Antimicrobial activity testing against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
• Cytocompatibility assays using human skin fibroblasts.

Main Results:

• Hydrogels exhibited enhanced thermal stability, tunable hydrophilicity, and a porous structure suitable for drug loading and release.
• Sustained release of cannabinoids over 72 hours was observed, following first-order and Fu-Kao kinetic models.
• Selective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was demonstrated, with no activity against Escherichia coli.
• Cytocompatibility assays confirmed non-toxic behavior of the hydrogels towards human skin fibroblasts over 7 days.

Conclusions:

• Cyclodextrin-cannabinoid-loaded agar/xanthan hydrogels represent promising biocompatible platforms.
• These hydrogels facilitate controlled drug delivery and possess selective antimicrobial activity.
• The developed hydrogels are suitable for tissue engineering and other soft-tissue biomedical applications.