Genipin-Crosslinked gelatin Solid emulsion gels as a Matrix for Controlled delivery

Gelatin gels are three-dimensional networks of macromolecular chains, physically cross-linked through hydrogen bonding. The use of gelatin gels as a matrix for drug delivery is limited due its reversible gel-sol transition at ~35oC and potentially low gel strength. As a result, gelatin is often chemically crosslinked to increase its thermal stability and rigidity. Genipin, a natural low-cytotoxicity crosslinker of amino groups, has been shown to improve gelatin’s mechanical properties for biomedical applications. Solid emulsion gels (SEGs) are oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions stabilized by a hydrated polymer matrix that maintains entrapped oil within a solid gel or highly viscous continuous structure. In the current study, SEGs based on genipin-crosslinked gelatin were examined for controlled delivery purposes, using indomethacin as a model hydrophobic drug.