Abstract
Hydrogels can constitute reliable delivery systems of drugs, including those based on nucleic acids (NABDs) such as small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA). Their nature, structure, and response to physiological or external stimuli strongly influence the delivery mechanisms of entrapped active molecules, and, in turn, their possible uses in pharmacological and biomedical applications. In this study, a thermo-gelling chitosan/β-glycero-phosphate system has been optimized in order to assess its use as injectable system able to: i) gelling at physiological pH and temperature, and ii) modulate the release of included active ingredients. To this aim, we first analyzed the effect of acetic acid concentration on the gelation temperature. We then found the “optimized composition”, namely, the one in which the Tgel is equal to the physiological temperature. The resulting gel was tested, by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), to evaluate its average mesh-size, which can affect release kinetics of loaded drug. Finally, films of gelled chitosan, loaded with a model drug, have been tested in vitro to monitor their characteristic times, i.e. diffusion and erosion time, when they are exposed to a medium mimicking a physiological environment (buffer solution at pH 7.4). Results display that the optimized system is deemed to be an ideal candidate as injectable gelling material for a sustained release.
Keywords: Chitosan, β-glycerophosphate, erosion, hydrogel, mesh-size, thermo-gelling.
Current Drug Delivery
Title:Injectable Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate System for Sustained Release: Gelation Study, Structural Investigation, and Erosion Tests
Volume: 14 Issue: 2
Author(s): Annalisa Dalmoro, Michela Abrami, Barbara Galzerano, Sabrina Bochicchio, Anna Angela Barba, Mario Grassi and Domenico Larobina
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chitosan, β-glycerophosphate, erosion, hydrogel, mesh-size, thermo-gelling.
Abstract: Hydrogels can constitute reliable delivery systems of drugs, including those based on nucleic acids (NABDs) such as small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA). Their nature, structure, and response to physiological or external stimuli strongly influence the delivery mechanisms of entrapped active molecules, and, in turn, their possible uses in pharmacological and biomedical applications. In this study, a thermo-gelling chitosan/β-glycero-phosphate system has been optimized in order to assess its use as injectable system able to: i) gelling at physiological pH and temperature, and ii) modulate the release of included active ingredients. To this aim, we first analyzed the effect of acetic acid concentration on the gelation temperature. We then found the “optimized composition”, namely, the one in which the Tgel is equal to the physiological temperature. The resulting gel was tested, by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), to evaluate its average mesh-size, which can affect release kinetics of loaded drug. Finally, films of gelled chitosan, loaded with a model drug, have been tested in vitro to monitor their characteristic times, i.e. diffusion and erosion time, when they are exposed to a medium mimicking a physiological environment (buffer solution at pH 7.4). Results display that the optimized system is deemed to be an ideal candidate as injectable gelling material for a sustained release.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Dalmoro Annalisa, Abrami Michela, Galzerano Barbara, Bochicchio Sabrina, Barba Angela Anna, Grassi Mario and Larobina Domenico, Injectable Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate System for Sustained Release: Gelation Study, Structural Investigation, and Erosion Tests, Current Drug Delivery 2017; 14 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567201813666160721142202
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567201813666160721142202 |
Print ISSN 1567-2018 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5704 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of natural products, bio-actives and novel drug delivery system against emerging viral infections
Due to the increasing prevalence of viral infections and the ability of these human pathogens to develop resistance to current treatment strategies, there is a great need to find and develop new compounds to combat them. These molecules must have low toxicity, specific activity and high bioavailability. The most suitable ...read more
Electrospun Fibers as Drug Delivery Systems
In recent years, electrospun fibers have attracted considerable attention as potential platforms for drug delivery due to their distinctive properties and adaptability. These fibers feature a notable surface area-to-volume ratio and can be intentionally designed with high porosity, facilitating an increased capacity for drug loading and rendering them suitable for ...read more
Emerging Nanotherapeutics for Mitigation of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) present a significant hurdle due to limited access of both treatments and diagnostic tools for the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a barrier, restricting the passage of molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. The most formidable challenge facing scientists is ...read more
Nanotechnology Based Chemotherapy for the treatment of Head & Neck Cancer
The escalating recurrence rates observed in Head and Neck cancer, particularly within the chemo-therapeutically treated cohort (50-60%), can be attributed to the non-selective nature of current anticancer drug delivery modalities. In this context, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems emerge as a promising avenue for achieving precise localization of therapeutic agents to ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
A Preliminary Assessment of the Structure-Activity Relationship of Benzimidazole-Based Anti-Proliferative Agents
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Microarrays: Spotlight on Gene Function and Pharmacogenomics
Current Cancer Drug Targets Chronic Administration of Single Weekly Paclitaxel in Heavily Pretreated Ovarian Cancer Patients
Current Medicinal Chemistry MDM2 Inhibitors for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry New Concepts for Glaucoma Implants - Controlled Aqueous Humor Drainage, Encapsulation Prevention and Local Drug Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Inhibition of Glycolysis and Glutaminolysis: An Emerging Drug Discovery Approach to Combat Cancer
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Immunogenicity and Tumorigenicity of Pluripotent Stem Cells and their Derivatives: Genetic and Epigenetic Perspectives
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Targeted Gene Therapy for Ovarian Cancer
Current Gene Therapy Identification of a RhoA- and SRF-Dependent Mechanism of Androgen Action that is Associated with Prostate Cancer Progression
Current Drug Targets Occurrence, Functions and Biological Significance of Arginine-Rich Proteins
Current Protein & Peptide Science Mouse Models of Autoimmune Diseases: Immune Thrombocytopenia
Current Pharmaceutical Design Development of Aptamer-Based Nanomaterials for Biological Analysis
Current Molecular Medicine Silymarin in the Prevention and Treatment of Liver Diseases and Primary Liver Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Graphical Abstracts
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Multifunctional Role of Pacap-Like Peptides in Molluscs
Protein & Peptide Letters Role of Mitochondrial Translocator Protein (18 kDa) on Mitochondrial- Related Cell Death Processes
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Agents Targeting Ras Signaling Pathway
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pan-Amyloid Oligomer Specific scFv Antibody Attenuates Memory Deficits and Brain Amyloid Burden in Mice with Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Vascular Disease and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Hypoxia and Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Gynecological Cancers and in Therapeutical Options
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews