Introduction

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDSs) have emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the pharmacokinetic profile and therapeutic performance of orally administered drugs such as amoxicillin (AMOX). In the present work, innovative GRDDSs were formulated through the synthesis of super-porous guar gum (GG)-based interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) [1].

Methods

IPNs were developed via simultaneous Diels–Alder (DA) crosslinking utilizing di- and tri-functional furfuryl monomers and a dimaleimide monomer [2], within a GG solution. This one-pot procedure incorporated porogenic agents, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sucrose, as well as AMOX. The physicochemical properties of the resulting systems were subsequently characterized by rheological, morphological, swelling, and floating tests.

Results

The incorporation of porogens was effective in generating porous structures, increasing the swelling index to 2,000%, and enhancing both the storage modulus and the complex viscosity of the hydrogels. The resulting hydrogels exhibited mucoadhesive and floating properties, making them suitable for prolonged gastric retention. PEG-based IPN offered improved drug delivery performance, including sustained release of AMOX.

Conclusion

In contrast to non-crosslinked control samples, all IPNs achieved uniform and mechanically resilient hydrogels. Rheological and swelling studies demonstrated that both the nature and concentration of the porogenic agents significantly influenced the structural and functional properties of the hydrogels.

These results underscore the promise of one-pot IPN biocompatible preparation, coupled with porogen modulation, as a viable strategy for the development of GRDDS, enabling sustained drug release.

References

1. Grosso, R.; Benito, E.; Carbajo-Gordillo, A.I.; García-Martín, M.G.; Perez-Puyana, V.; Sánchez-Cid, P.; de-Paz, M.V. Int J Mol Sci 2023, 24, doi:10.3390/ijms24032281.

2. Galbis, E.; de Paz, M. V; McGuinness, K.L.; Angulo, M.; Valencia, C.; Galbis, J.A. Polym Chem 2014, 5, 5391–5402, doi:10.1039/C4PY00580E.