| dc.description.abstract | This study aims to investigate the use of film-forming hydrogels (FFG) and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) for an improved topical delivery of hydrophobic drugs over 24 h. Each FFG contained HPMC, oleic acid, ethanol, water and either zein or PVP as film forming agents. PLGA NPs encapsulated CUR by nanoprecipitation with additional ultrasonication. Free drugs and therapeutic NPs were then dispersed into blank hydrogels for final products. The results suggested that zein FFG better prolonged topical delivery of highly hydrophobic drug like curcumin (CUR), while PVP was more effective for less hydrophobic drug like terbinafine hydrochloride (TBH). More interestingly, PLGA NPs can double permeability of encapsulated CUR after 24 h. Further studies of film-forming time, SEM and TEM imaging, film wettability, FTIR and PXRD spectroscopies was used to elucidate the mechanism of drug release profiles. These findings are helpful for future design of film-forming gels as topical drug delivery systems that not only improve drug permeability but also sustain drug release of hydrophobic active ingredients.
Keywords: film-forming hydrogels, film-forming nanogels, curcumin, PLGA nanoparticles, sustained release, topical drug delivery system | en_US |
