The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Freeze-drying is a dehydration method that extends the shelf life and stability of drugs, vaccines, and biologics. Recently, its role has expanded beyond preservation to improve novel pharmaceuticals and their carriers, such as hydrogels, which are widely st...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1512 |
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| author | Kacper Odziomek Anna K. Drabczyk Paulina Kościelniak Patryk Konieczny Mateusz Barczewski Katarzyna Bialik-Wąs |
| author_facet | Kacper Odziomek Anna K. Drabczyk Paulina Kościelniak Patryk Konieczny Mateusz Barczewski Katarzyna Bialik-Wąs |
| author_sort | Kacper Odziomek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Freeze-drying is a dehydration method that extends the shelf life and stability of drugs, vaccines, and biologics. Recently, its role has expanded beyond preservation to improve novel pharmaceuticals and their carriers, such as hydrogels, which are widely studied for both drug delivery and wound healing. The main aim of this study was to explore the multifunctional role of freeze-drying in improving the physicochemical properties of sodium alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogels for medical applications. <b>Methods:</b> The base matrix and hydrogels containing a nanocarrier-drug system, were prepared by chemical cross-linking and then freeze-dried for 24 h at −53 °C under 0.2 mBa. Key analyses included determination of gel fraction, swelling ratio, FT-IR, SEM, TG/DTG, in vitro drug release and kinetics, and cytotoxicity assessment. <b>Results:</b> Freeze-drying caused an increase in the gel fraction of the hydrogel with the dual drug delivery system from 55 ± 1.6% to 72 ± 0.5%. Swelling ability was pH-dependent and remained in the same range (175–282%). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that freeze-dried hydrogels exhibited higher thermal stability than their non-freeze-dried equivalents. The temperature at 10% weight loss increased from 194.0 °C to 198.9 °C for the freeze-dried drug-loaded matrix, and from 188.4 °C to 203.1 °C for the freeze-dried drug-free matrix. The average pore size of the freeze-dried hydrogels was in the range of 1.07 µm ± 0.54 to 1.74 µm ± 0.92. In vitro drug release revealed that active substances were released in a controlled and prolonged way, according to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. The cumulative amount of salicylic acid released at pH = 9.0 after 96 h was 63%, while that of fluocinolone acetonide reached 73%. Both hydrogels were non-toxic to human fibroblast cells, maintaining over 90% cell viability after 48 h of incubation. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results show a high potential for commercialisation of the obtained hydrogels as medical dressings. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f5b8bc590e0d40eb9420034e8f3d2e03 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1424-8247 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| series | Pharmaceuticals |
| spelling | doaj-art-f5b8bc590e0d40eb9420034e8f3d2e032025-08-20T02:05:01ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472024-11-011711151210.3390/ph17111512The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical UseKacper Odziomek0Anna K. Drabczyk1Paulina Kościelniak2Patryk Konieczny3Mateusz Barczewski4Katarzyna Bialik-Wąs5Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, 24 Warszawska Street, 31155 Cracow, PolandCracow University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Organic Chemistry and Technology, 24 Warszawska Street, 31155 Cracow, PolandInstitute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 6 Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego Street, 61614 Poznan, PolandInstitute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 6 Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego Street, 61614 Poznan, PolandInstitute of Materials Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, 3 Piotrowo Street, 61138 Poznan, PolandCracow University of Technology, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, 24 Warszawska Street, 31155 Cracow, Poland<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Freeze-drying is a dehydration method that extends the shelf life and stability of drugs, vaccines, and biologics. Recently, its role has expanded beyond preservation to improve novel pharmaceuticals and their carriers, such as hydrogels, which are widely studied for both drug delivery and wound healing. The main aim of this study was to explore the multifunctional role of freeze-drying in improving the physicochemical properties of sodium alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol)-based hydrogels for medical applications. <b>Methods:</b> The base matrix and hydrogels containing a nanocarrier-drug system, were prepared by chemical cross-linking and then freeze-dried for 24 h at −53 °C under 0.2 mBa. Key analyses included determination of gel fraction, swelling ratio, FT-IR, SEM, TG/DTG, in vitro drug release and kinetics, and cytotoxicity assessment. <b>Results:</b> Freeze-drying caused an increase in the gel fraction of the hydrogel with the dual drug delivery system from 55 ± 1.6% to 72 ± 0.5%. Swelling ability was pH-dependent and remained in the same range (175–282%). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that freeze-dried hydrogels exhibited higher thermal stability than their non-freeze-dried equivalents. The temperature at 10% weight loss increased from 194.0 °C to 198.9 °C for the freeze-dried drug-loaded matrix, and from 188.4 °C to 203.1 °C for the freeze-dried drug-free matrix. The average pore size of the freeze-dried hydrogels was in the range of 1.07 µm ± 0.54 to 1.74 µm ± 0.92. In vitro drug release revealed that active substances were released in a controlled and prolonged way, according to the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. The cumulative amount of salicylic acid released at pH = 9.0 after 96 h was 63%, while that of fluocinolone acetonide reached 73%. Both hydrogels were non-toxic to human fibroblast cells, maintaining over 90% cell viability after 48 h of incubation. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results show a high potential for commercialisation of the obtained hydrogels as medical dressings.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1512freeze-dryinghydrogelsdrug deliveryrelease studieswound healingskin diseases |
| spellingShingle | Kacper Odziomek Anna K. Drabczyk Paulina Kościelniak Patryk Konieczny Mateusz Barczewski Katarzyna Bialik-Wąs The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use Pharmaceuticals freeze-drying hydrogels drug delivery release studies wound healing skin diseases |
| title | The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use |
| title_full | The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use |
| title_short | The Role of Freeze-Drying as a Multifunctional Process in Improving the Properties of Hydrogels for Medical Use |
| title_sort | role of freeze drying as a multifunctional process in improving the properties of hydrogels for medical use |
| topic | freeze-drying hydrogels drug delivery release studies wound healing skin diseases |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/11/1512 |
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