RT Journal Article
T1 Bigels based on polyelectrolyte complexes as vaginal drug delivery systems
A1 Cazorla Luna, Raúl
A1 Notario Pérez, Fernando
A1 Ruiz Caro, Roberto
A1 Martín Illana, Araceli
A1 Rubio, Juan
A1 Tamayo, Aitana
A1 Veiga Ochoa, María Dolores
AB Bigels in which the cationic polymer —chitosan— is combined with an anionic polymer —karaya gum, pectin or xanthan gum— were prepared. These polymers, thanks to the attraction of their charged surface groups, are liable to form a polyelectrolyte complex that would modify the characteristics of the bigel. The obtained bigels were subsequently freeze-dried and tested to study their behavior against different conditions occurring in the vaginal environment. Swelling and drug release profiles have been evaluated in a medium that simulates the ordinary vaginal conditions and simulating the conditions after ejaculation. Thanks to the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes, the bigel is able to provide a pH-independent sustained drug release. However, when one of the polymers predominates, the release of the active ingredient turns out to be pH-dependent —which can also be beneficial in some therapeutic applications—. It has been proved that the inclusion of a higher percentage of chitosan in the bigel improves its mechanical properties, while the mucoadhesivity of the system can be improved by increasing the anionic polymer. The versatility of these systems in modulating their physicochemical properties, provides a substantial advantage over the formulations currently available on the market for vaginal drug delivery.
PB Elsevier
SN 0378-5173
YR 2025
FD 2025-01-01
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/118018
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/118018
LA eng
NO Cazorla-Luna R, Notario-Pérez F, Martín-Illana A, Ruiz-Caro R, Rubio J, Tamayo A, Veiga MD. Bigels based on polyelectrolyte complexes as vaginal drug delivery systems. Int J Pharm. 2025 Jan 1;669:125065.
NO pdf publicado en su versión final de acceso a través de su plataforma de publicación
NO Ministerio de Industria y Competitividad (España)
NO European Commission
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2025