Abstract
In this study, we developed a smart drug delivery system that can efficiently deliver the required amounts of drugs using the excellent ion conductivity of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and an electrical stimulus. As a result of its having carboxyl groups, PAA hydrogel can be used in drug delivery patches to release drugs by ionic conductivity. However, PAA hydrogel has low durability and poor mechanical properties. The carboxyl group of PAA was combined with a siloxane group of silicone using electron-beam irradiation to easily form a crosslinked structure. The PAA–silicone hydrogel has excellent mechanical properties. Specifically, the tensile strength increased more than 3.5 times. In addition, we observed its cell compatibility using fluorescence staining and CCK-8 assays and found good cell viability. Finally, it was possible to control the drug delivery rate efficiently using the voltage applied to the ion-conductive hydrogel. As the voltage was increased to 3, 5, and 7 V, the amount of drug released was 53, 88, and 96%, respectively. These excellent properties of the PAA–silicone hydrogel can be used not only for whitening or anti-wrinkling cosmetics but also in medical drug-delivery systems.
Highlights
Smart drug delivery systems have recently been developed in which the drug delivery carriers respond to specific external stimuli provided to improve the drug-release efficiency
Nontoxic hydrogels can be prepared without residual chemicals, and biocompatibility can be improved because an electron beam has the advantages of crosslinking and sterilizing at the same time
In the case of Si 15, the gel fraction rose with the increase in the radiation dose. These results show that the gel fraction increased due to an increase in the crosslinking within the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)–silicone hydrogels as the electron-beam dose increased
Summary
Smart drug delivery systems have recently been developed in which the drug delivery carriers respond to specific external stimuli provided to improve the drug-release efficiency. Conductive drug delivery carriers are formed using stimulation-sensitive polymers or compounds that exhibit structural changes in response to external stimuli such as light, temperature, and electrical stimulation. Drug delivery effects can be exhibited that are from tens to hundreds of times better than with drug administration applied to the skin without any external irritation [8,12,13]. This method is a promising method by which it is possible to release drugs where it is difficult to penetrate the skin and as a route through which drugs can be more efficiently administered
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