Preparation and characterization of the injectable pH- and temperature-sensitive pentablock hydrogel containing human growth hormone-loaded chitosan nanoparticles via electrospraying

Abstract

This research investigated the in vivo gelation, biodegradation, and drug release efficiency of a novel injectable sensitive drug delivery system for human growth hormone (HGh). This composite system comprises pH- and temperature-sensitive hydrogel, designated as oligomer serine-b-poly(lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide)-b-oligomer serine (OS-PLA-PEG-PLA-OS) pentablock copolymer, as matrix and electrosprayed HGh-loaded chitosan (HGh@CS) nanoparticles (NPs) as principal material. The proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the pH- and temperature-sensitive OS-PLA-PEG-PLA-OS pentablock copolymer hydrogel proved that this copolymer was successfully synthesized. The HGh was encapsulated in chitosan (CS) NPs by an electrospraying system in acetic acid with appropriate granulation parameters. The scanning electron microscopy images and size distribution showed that the HGh@CS NPs formed had an average diameter of 366.1 ± 214.5 nm with a discrete spherical shape and dispersed morphology. The sol–gel transition of complex gel based on HGh@CS NPs and OS-PLA-PEG-PLA-OS pentablock hydrogel was investigated at 15 °C and pH 7.8 in the sol state and gelled at 37 °C and pH 7.4, which is suitable for the physiological conditions of the human body. The HGh release experiment of the composite system was performed in an in vivo environment, which demonstrated the ability to release HGh, and underwent biodegradation within 32 days. The findings of the investigation revealed that the distribution of HGh@CS NPs into the hydrogel matrix not only improved the mechanical properties of the gel matrix but also controlled the drug release kinetics into the systematic bloodstream, which ultimately promotes the desired therapeutic body growth depending on the distinct concentration used.

Keywords:

• pH- and temperature-sensitive hydrogel
• chitosan nanoparticles
• electrospraying
• drug delivery system
• human growth hormone

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of time and facilities from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for this study. The authors received no financial support for this research.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest concerning this article’s research, authorship, or publication.

Author contributions

D.P. Huynh: supervision, validation, reviewing, and funding acquisition; T.A. Tran: writing and editing the manuscript; T.T.H. Nguyen: material preparation and data collection; V.V.L. Nguyen: methodology, validation, writing and editing manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.