Work

Design and characterization of a dual-network silicone/β-CD-HA hydrogel for controlled drug delivery

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Silicone hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates for ocular drug delivery due to their exceptional oxygen permeability. However, their inherent hydrophobicity often results in suboptimal drug-loading capacity and patient discomfort. To address these limitations, this study introduces an innovative dual-network silicone/β-CD-HA hydrogel. In this design, the primary silicone network preserves high oxygen permeability, while the secondary β-CD-HA network enhances hydrophilicity and introduces additional drug-loading sites via host-guest interactions. Levofloxacin (LVF), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, was incorporated into the hydrogel through non-covalent binding with β-CD, and the system’s drug-loading capacity, sustained release profile, in vitro bactericidal activity, and post-loading properties were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated a total LVF loading of 959.90 ± 36.60 μg/lens in the silicone/β-CD-HA hydrogel, with sustained release extending up to 8 h. Bactericidal assays revealed markedly reduced E. coli survival rates in treated groups: 14.46 ± 0.76 % (p < 0.0001) for LVF-loaded silicone hydrogel and 10.42 ± 1.66 % (p < 0.0001) for the β-CD-HA/silicone hydrogel, underscoring the enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of the dual-network system. The integration of β-CD-HA significantly improved hydrogel hydrophilicity, increasing equilibrium water content (EWC) from 27.69 ± 0.18 % to 45.60 ± 0.19 % and reducing the surface contact angle from 99.41 ± 0.24° to 70.36 ± 0.14°. Crucially, the modified hydrogel retained functionality-critical properties, exhibiting 93.45 ± 0.42 % light transmittance and 110.45 ± 0.32 barrer oxygen permeability values well within practical application standards. Post-drug-loading characterization showed minimal changes in oxygen permeability (105.47 ± 0.18 barrer), transmittance, or mechanical integrity, confirming structural stability. These findings collectively highlight the dual-network silicone/β-CD-HA hydrogel as a robust platform for extended ocular drug delivery, effectively balancing enhanced drug loading, sustained release kinetics, without compromising essential material properties.

Source: Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.137753