Dual responsive hybrid hydrogels for controlled release of local anesthetic

Abstract

Inteligent hydrogels, such as pH sensitive hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) are widely used for targeted drug delivery. Still, PMAA lack of good mechanical properties often limits its application. In order to overcome this limitation nanocellulose (NC) was extracted from wood waste material and then added to PMAA because NC is biocompatible, non-toxic and has excellent mechanical properties. Further, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (cellulose derivate widely used for controlled release of drugs) was added. CMC can stabilize magnetite nanoparticles (MN) which is then also added. MN can significantly improve mechanical properties of hydrogels and also possess magnetic properties due to which MN can be used for targeted drug delivery. The as-prepared material can protect drug, deliver it to the site of action, control its release rate and enable in that way its efficient application with reduced side effects. Local anesthetic - lidocaine hydrochloride (LH) is often administrated by injection which can induce severe side effects. This problem is solved in present study by encapsulating LH into hydrogels based on PMAA, NC, CMC and MN (PMNC/MN-L). PMNC/MN-L hydrogels were characterized by FTIR and SEM spectroscopies and single compressive tests and then their swelling behavior and LH release were analyzed. Present study offers unique approach for green synthesis of dual responsive hydrogels with improves properties and their application for controlled release of local anesthetic with reduced side effects.