Development and Evaluation of Alginate–Gelatin Composite Hydrogels via 3D Printing Technology for Pharmaceutical Applications

Abstract

Objective: 3D printed composite hydrogel scaffolds are multi-purpose systems used in many areas of pharmaceutical applications. This study primarily aimed to develop an alginate-gelatin-based composite hydrogel scaffold with potential for versatile applications in the field of pharmacy. Material and Methods: In the present study, alginate-gelatin hydrogel formulations were produced. The viscosity of the hydrogel formulations was measured and a hydrogel-based composite scaffold was obtained by 3D printing process using the optimized hydrogel formulation. Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy imaging studies were performed on the optimum 3D printed composite hydrogel. Results: Alginate-gelatin based hydrogel formulations (F1-F6) were produced successfully. According to the obtained viscosity results, all the formulations (except F4) exhibited shear thinning properties and the majority of hydrogel formulations showed a typical non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior. The microscope images of 3D printed hydrogels showed that the obtained scaffold was characterized by high porosity and accurately aligned intersections. Conclusion: The hydrogel composite system prepared in the present study will be used in further drug screening tests in the development of drugs for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Additionally, these systems can be used as drug delivery systems by loading various drugs onto them.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• alginate
• gelatin
• hydrogel formulation

3D Baskı Teknolojisi ile Farmasötik Uygulamalar İçin Aljinat-Jelatin Kompozit Hidrojellerin Geliştirilmesi ve Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: 3D baskılanmış kompozit hidrojel iskeleler, farmasötik uygulamaların birçok alanında kullanılan çok amaçlı sistemlerdir. Bu çalışma, öncelikle eczacılık alanında çok yönlü uygulama potansiyeline sahip aljinat-jelatin bazlı bir kompozit hidrojel iskele geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, aljinat-jelatin hidrojel formülasyonları üretilmiştir. Hidrojel formülasyonlarının viskozitesi ölçülmüş ve optimize edilmiş hidrojel formülasyonu kullanılarak 3D baskı işlemiyle hidrojel bazlı bir kompozit yapı iskelesi elde edilmiştir. Optimum 3D baskılı kompozit hidrojel üzerinde taramalı elektron mikroskobu ve ışık mikroskobu görüntüleme çalışmaları gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Aljinat-jelatin bazlı hidrojel formülasyonları (F1-F6) başarıyla üretilmiştir. Elde edilen viskozite sonuçlarına göre, tüm formülasyonlar (F4 hariç) kayma incelmesi özellikleri sergilerken, hidrojel formülasyonlarının çoğu tipik Newtonian olmayan psödoplastik davranış göstermiştir. 3B yazdırılmış hidrojellerin mikroskop görüntüleri, elde edilen yapı iskelesinin yüksek gözeneklilik ve doğru hizalanmış kesişim noktaları ile karakterize edildiğini göstermiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada hazırlanan hidrojel kompozit sistemi, Alzheimer gibi nörodejeneratif hastalıklar için ilaç geliştirme çalışmalarında ilaç tarama testlerinde kullanılacaktır. Ayrıca, bu sistemler çeşitli ilaçlar yüklenerek ilaç taşıyıcı sistemler olarak da kullanılabilirler.

Keywords

• 3D baskı
• aljinat
• jelatin
• hidrojel formülasyonu

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