Gelation Properties and Drug Release Kinetics of a Thermoreversible Hydrogel as a Drug Carrier

Abstract

Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) is a thermoreversible hydrogel that is a promising candidate for drug delivery. This hydrogel has a unique property that transforms its phase between liquid and gel as the temperature changes. PF-127 can be explored as a potential drug delivery system to treat diseases due to its low toxicity and controllable, sustained drug release. This study aims to determine the optimized relationship between concentration and temperature for successful PF-127 gelation and to characterize its drug release kinetics. PF-127 powder was dissolved in a saline solution to make concentrations ranging from 10% to 30%. The temperature was increased gradually to determine the precise temperature at which each PF-127 solution at a different concentration turned to gel. Concentrations under 16% did not turn to gel at any range of temperature. From 20% to 24% concentrations, PF-127 was a liquid at room temperature, while 26% to 30% concentrations were in a gel state. To characterize the drug release kinetics of PF-127, calf thymus DNA was loaded into PF-127. It showed sustained DNA release over a prolonged period of time as opposed to an immediate burst release. Sustained release kinetics shown in our study is preferable because it may steadily release a drug at an optimal concentration, preventing toxicity from a high drug concentration while maintaining therapeutic potential. The outcomes of this study elucidate a broad application of PF-127 as a potential drug carrier.