Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation

Abstract Recent study aimed to fabricate pH responsive, intelligent, Pluronic F127 based polymeric system for controlled delivery of Famciclovir. Nine formulations were developed through free radical polymerization. Polymeric system exhibited pH dependent swelling by showing higher degree of swellin...

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Main Authors: Irum Iftikhar, Kashif Barkat, Syed Faisal Badshah, Muhammad Umer Ashraf, Yasir Mehmood, Irfan Anjum, Gamal A. Shazly, Amira Metouekel, Youssouf Ali Younous, Mohammed Bourhia
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96739-4
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author Irum Iftikhar
Kashif Barkat
Syed Faisal Badshah
Muhammad Umer Ashraf
Yasir Mehmood
Irfan Anjum
Gamal A. Shazly
Amira Metouekel
Youssouf Ali Younous
Mohammed Bourhia
author_facet Irum Iftikhar
Kashif Barkat
Syed Faisal Badshah
Muhammad Umer Ashraf
Yasir Mehmood
Irfan Anjum
Gamal A. Shazly
Amira Metouekel
Youssouf Ali Younous
Mohammed Bourhia
author_sort Irum Iftikhar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Recent study aimed to fabricate pH responsive, intelligent, Pluronic F127 based polymeric system for controlled delivery of Famciclovir. Nine formulations were developed through free radical polymerization. Polymeric system exhibited pH dependent swelling by showing higher degree of swelling in simulated intestinal fluid of pH 7.4 while negligible swelling in simulated gastric fluid of pH 1.2. Drug loading increased with increase in percent water content. Famciclovir loading percent was found in range of 60.892% to 73.741%. In FTIR spectra, characteristic peaks were achieved confirming the successful grafting of drug in polymeric system. PXRD results demonstrated the conversion of crystalline nature of Famciclovir into an amorphous one in the loaded hydrogel. SEM confirmed the porous nature of hydrogel. Famciclovir loaded hydrogel showed superior thermal behavior as compared to the drug alone. In vitro Famciclovir release studies unveiled small quantity of drug release in simulated gastric fluid (25.55–34.89%) while maximal release in simulated intestinal fluid (90.12–99.13%) for 36 h was documented thereby confirming pH regulated release. Application of DD solver revealed that PLMA hydrogels followed zero order while First order was being followed by Famciclovir marketed tablet. No toxicity signs were observed in rabbits establishing the biosafety of system. Hence, the results suggest that Pluronic based polymeric system can act as promising carrier for controlled, site specific delivery of Famciclovir in intestine for prolonged period thereby reducing its dosing frequency and minimizing gastric side effects for treating Herpes and Varicella zoster infections.
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spelling doaj-art-b6ec1676f22a4a119ebc9e8833baf5f32025-08-20T02:03:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115112110.1038/s41598-025-96739-4Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluationIrum Iftikhar0Kashif Barkat1Syed Faisal Badshah2Muhammad Umer Ashraf3Yasir Mehmood4Irfan Anjum5Gamal A. Shazly6Amira Metouekel7Youssouf Ali Younous8Mohammed Bourhia9Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of LahoreFaculty of Pharmacy, The University of LahoreDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Poonch RawalakotFaculty of Pharmacy, The University of LahoreRiphah Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International UniversityDepartment of Basic Medical Sciences, Shifa College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer- E-Millat UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud UniversityBOI R&D Laboratory, Bioval Ocean Indian Research and Innovation CompanyEvangelical CollegeLaboratory of Biotechnology and Natural Resources Valorization, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr UniversityAbstract Recent study aimed to fabricate pH responsive, intelligent, Pluronic F127 based polymeric system for controlled delivery of Famciclovir. Nine formulations were developed through free radical polymerization. Polymeric system exhibited pH dependent swelling by showing higher degree of swelling in simulated intestinal fluid of pH 7.4 while negligible swelling in simulated gastric fluid of pH 1.2. Drug loading increased with increase in percent water content. Famciclovir loading percent was found in range of 60.892% to 73.741%. In FTIR spectra, characteristic peaks were achieved confirming the successful grafting of drug in polymeric system. PXRD results demonstrated the conversion of crystalline nature of Famciclovir into an amorphous one in the loaded hydrogel. SEM confirmed the porous nature of hydrogel. Famciclovir loaded hydrogel showed superior thermal behavior as compared to the drug alone. In vitro Famciclovir release studies unveiled small quantity of drug release in simulated gastric fluid (25.55–34.89%) while maximal release in simulated intestinal fluid (90.12–99.13%) for 36 h was documented thereby confirming pH regulated release. Application of DD solver revealed that PLMA hydrogels followed zero order while First order was being followed by Famciclovir marketed tablet. No toxicity signs were observed in rabbits establishing the biosafety of system. Hence, the results suggest that Pluronic based polymeric system can act as promising carrier for controlled, site specific delivery of Famciclovir in intestine for prolonged period thereby reducing its dosing frequency and minimizing gastric side effects for treating Herpes and Varicella zoster infections.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96739-4Pluronic F127FamciclovirPolymeric systemReduced dosing frequencyProlonged release
spellingShingle Irum Iftikhar
Kashif Barkat
Syed Faisal Badshah
Muhammad Umer Ashraf
Yasir Mehmood
Irfan Anjum
Gamal A. Shazly
Amira Metouekel
Youssouf Ali Younous
Mohammed Bourhia
Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
Scientific Reports
Pluronic F127
Famciclovir
Polymeric system
Reduced dosing frequency
Prolonged release
title Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
title_full Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
title_fullStr Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
title_full_unstemmed Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
title_short Formulation of pH responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
title_sort formulation of ph responsive polymeric hydrogels for prolonged delivery of famciclovir with biosafety evaluation
topic Pluronic F127
Famciclovir
Polymeric system
Reduced dosing frequency
Prolonged release
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96739-4
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