A hydrogel made of a polymeric material developed by Brazilian researchers can help answer one of the current challenges for drug delivery: creating a system that allows the controlled release in the body of molecules with different pharmacological activities in a single pill.

In a study published in the American Chemical Society’s Applied Bio Materials journal, scientists at the Universities of Franca (UNIFRAN) and the State of Minas Gerais (UEMG) tested a class of polyether-siloxane material, known as ureasil, to simultaneously release an anticancer and an anti-inflammatory into the body. In addition to distinct therapeutic actions, the drugs used in the research also have different degrees of affinity for water.

“We were able to develop a system for simultaneous release of two drugs incorporated into the same polymeric [plastic] matrix,” said Eduardo Ferreira Molina, UNIFRAN professor and project coordinator.

Flexible and transparent, the polymeric matrix is ​​composed of nanoscale segments of siloxane and a polyether (PEO). With hydrogel characteristics (gel formed by a rigid three-dimensional network of polymers), the material is capable of absorbing high volumes of water in its interstices without dissolving, and is therefore considered ideal for controlled drug release.

Through a process called sol-gel, in which a suspended particulate liquid (sol) is transformed into a gel, the researchers were able to incorporate naproxen and 5-fluorouracil anticancer into the matrix simultaneously.

“The idea was to incorporate two therapeutic agents without changing the physicochemical properties of the polymer matrix or drugs,” explained Molina.

The anti-inflammatory naproxen has hydrophobic character, ie it does not absorb water. 5-fluorouracil is hydrophilic, so it has affinity for water. The incorporation of both into the polyether matrix was possible due to the functional groups in the material.

“This enabled the solubilisation of naproxen and 5-fluorouracil,” explained Molina.

Release test

In order to test and measure drug release, in vitro tests were performed in which the material was immersed in water with temperature and acidity (pH) similar to those found in the human intestine.

The amount of drug released into the solution was measured by visible ultraviolet spectroscopy. The results showed that the material was able to release the drugs in equal amounts and maintain the release over time.

“These results are unheard of. So far, there have been no reports in the scientific literature of the application of this class of materials to release two therapeutic agents simultaneously in the same amount and maintain this over time,” said Molina.

Synergistic effect against cancer

According to the researcher, the idea is that the material is used as a pill to encapsulate and release a series of therapeutic agents, including chemotherapeutic drugs used to fight cancer.

One of the limitations of chemotherapy drugs used today is chemoresistance –the resistance of certain cancer cells to the action of the active compound. Drug delivery systems such as the one described in the article may slow the development of chemoresistance, as well as improve therapeutic efficacy and decrease side effects. This is because the combination of different therapeutic agents in the same drug tends to promote a synergistic or combined effect, Molina pointed out.

“In addition to fighting cancer, a drug with this delivery system containing a chemotherapy and other therapeutic agent could lessen the side effects of treatment,” Molina said.

 

Source: Pfarma