Next generation strategy for tuning the thermoresponsive properties of micellar and hydrogel drug delivery vehicles using ionic liquids. Issue 16 (4th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shmool, Talia A.; Constantinou, Anna P.; Jirkas, Andreas; Zhao, Chen; Georgiou, Theoni K.; Hallett, Jason P.
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 13:Issue 16(2022)
• Page Start: 2340
• Page End: 2350
• Publication Date: 2022-04-04
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/d2py00053a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : Thermoresponsive ionic liquid hydrogel delivery vehicles of reduced gelation temperature for injectable and controlled drug delivery applications. Abstract : Amongst the greatest challenges in developing injectable controlled thermoresponsive micellar and hydrogel drug delivery vehicles include tuning the cloud point (CP) and reducing the gelation temperature ( T gel ), below 37 °C, without compromising stability and solubility. Here, a unique strategy is employed using ionic liquid (IL) matrices to produce stable micellar and hydrogel delivery vehicles of distinct thermoresponsive properties. Each formulation includes the in-house synthesised polymer OEGMA30020 - b -BuMA22 - b -DEGMA11 with FITC-IgG. Both micellar-IL and hydrogel-IL formulations exhibit enhanced stability following 120 days of storage under 4 °C compared to in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Visual tests demonstrate that the CP of the micellar-IL carriers can be finely tuned (31–46 °C). Rheology measurements show that hydrogel strength is significantly increased and T gel is reduced from 40 °C in PBS to 30 °C with IL. Finally, a unique stabilisation mechanism is proposed, triggered by the synergetic action of the excipients and IL in each system.