In situ supersaturable polyhydrogels: A feasible modification of the conventional hydrogels for the enhanced delivery of stomach specific hydrophobic drugs

In situ supersaturable polyhydrogels are a promising modification of traditional in situ gels to incorporate hydrophobic drugs and specifically deliver them to the stomach for management of gastric cancers and ulcers. This work emphases on understanding the influence of polyhydric solvents on gellan gum gels. Formulations containing various concentrations of glycerol, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol 400 were prepared. Interaction between solvents and gellan gum was evaluated using FTIR. Rheological properties of the formulations, In vitro floating behavior and gel strength were investigated. In situ polyhydrogels were loaded with Curcumin, as a model hydrophobic anticancer, utilizing polyethylene glycol 400 for evaluation of in vitro drug release. The investigated solvents interacted with the polymer through hydrogen-bond formation. The solvents intensified the gelation ability of the polymer, gel strength and the viscosity than solvent-free formulation. polyhydrogels allowed incorporation of hydrophobic drug with enhanced release profile that doesn't follow “spring and parachute” pattern in non-sink conditions signifying the ability of polyhydrogels to maintain supersaturated solutions for long period. Polyhydrogels could widen the application of in situ gels to include hydrophobic drugs with possible extension of the study to include other polymers with similar gelation properties.