Self-assembled carbohydrate hydrogels for prolonged pain management

Abstract

Context: Nanoparticulate systems are new tools that promise a revolution in the field of drug delivery. Among their numerous benefits, polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have shown to provide a barrier to drug release.

Objective: In this study, PECs, in the form of self-assembled polymeric nanogels, have been studied as potential drug carriers of the freely soluble drug tramadol HCL trying to achieve a prolonged percutaneous permeation.

Methodology: The hydrogels were subjected to swelling, rheology, release and permeation studies and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Results: P2 hydrogel composed of chitosan-carrageenan (1-1) PEC attained the most compromised rheological shear-thinning thixotropic behavior, good bioadhesive properties, the most retarded release and permeation with an f2 value <50 compared to chitosan hydrogel, altogether with non-irritancy to the skin. SEM photographs showed that P2 has spherical nanosized particles structure.

Conclusion: This approach can provide us promising results for an around-the-clock analgesia with better safety and tolerability profile.

Keywords::

• Hydrogel
• tramadol
• polyelectrolyte
• complexation
• chitosan