3D printing of nanocomposite pills through desktop vat photopolymerization (stereolithography) for drug delivery reasons

Abstract

Background The desktop vat polymerization process or stereolithography printing is an ideal approach to develop multifunctional nanocomposites wherein a conventional solid dosage form is used as a reservoir for compliant administration of drug-loaded nanocarriers. Methods In this study, a nanocomposite drug delivery system, that is, hydrogel nanoparticles of an approved nutraceutical, berberine entrapped within vat photopolymerized monoliths, was developed for drug delivery applications. For the fabrication of the nanocomposite drug delivery systems/pills, a biocompatible vat photopolymerized resin was selected as an optimum matrix capable of efficiently delivering berberine from stereolithography mediated 3D printed nanocomposite pill. Results The obtained data reflected the efficient formation of berberine-loaded hydrogel nanoparticles with a mean particle diameter of 95.05 ± 4.50 nm but low loading. Stereolithography-assisted fabrication of monoliths was achieved with high fidelity (in agreement with computer-aided design), and photo-crosslinking was ascertained through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydrogel nanoparticles were entrapped within the pills during the stereolithography process, as evidenced by electron microscopy. The nanocomposite pills showed a higher swelling in an acidic environment and consequently faster berberine release of 50.39 ± 3.44% after 4 h. The overall results suggested maximal release within the gastrointestinal transit duration and excretion of the exhausted pills. Conclusions We intended to demonstrate the feasibility of making 3D printed nanocomposite pills achieved through the desktop vat polymerization process for drug delivery applications.

Additive manufacturing technologies with emphasis on stereolithography 3D printing in pharmaceutical and medical applications: A review

“…This work has demonstrated the production of multi-drug therapy (personalized polypills) using SLA 3D printing ( Robles-Martinez et al, 2019 ). Sharma et al (2022) developed a nanocomposite drug delivery system comprising berberine entrapped nanoparticles immobilized in a 3D printed pill, using SLA (Form 2 SLA printer). The berberine entrapped nanoparticles were incorporated into photopolymerizable biocompatible resin, which is composed of PEGDA as a photocrosslinkable monomer.…”

“…Electron microscopy revealed successful entrapment of hydrogel nanoparticles within the pills during the SLA process. Sustained release of berberine from 3D printed pill (Diameter – 7.50 mm and Thickness – 5.00 mm) was achieved ( Sharma et al, 2022 ). Thus, these studies demonstrated the potential of SLA 3D printing technology in developing oral dosage forms (tablets).…”

“…Although there are various 3D printing technologies, only those that offer high resolution will be suitable for developing microneedles ( Sharma et al, 2022 ). SLA is one such technology that fabricates with great precision.…”

Stimuli‐Responsive and Multifunctional Nanogels in Drug Delivery

“…Altering the swelling nature or facilitating the polymeric framework to degrade as a consequence of physical or chemical triggering [59] . Temperature, magnetic fields, pressure, and electric fields provide the physical triggers, while, pH, enzymes, ionic change, and chemical agents act as the chemical triggers [57,60,61] . Drug dissolution, diffusion, the aqueous phase that surrounds that nanogel, and the breaking down of the drug carrier provide as certain other parameters [62] .…”

Vat Photopolymerization Additive Manufacturing Technology for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

“…[13] VPP has been widely used in medical applications due to its ability to print 3D objects with highly complex structural geometry at high accuracy, resolution, and reproducibility in little time than subtractive (traditional) 3D manufacturing. [14][15][16] Generally, four main 3D printing techniques fall under the VPP: stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), and daylight polymer printing (DPP). [17] SLA is the oldest form of VPP introduced by Charles Hull in the 1980s.…”