Lecithin as an Effective Modifier of the Transport Properties of Variously Crosslinked Hydrogels

Abstract

Transport properties are one of the most crucial assets of hydrogel samples, influencing their main application potential, i.e., as drug carriers. Depending on the type of drug or the application itself, it is very important to be able to control these transport properties in an appropriate manner. This study seeks to modify these properties by adding amphiphiles, specifically lecithin. Through its self-assembly, lecithin modifies the inner structure of the hydrogel, which affects its properties, especially the transport ones. In the proposed paper, these properties are studied mainly using various probes (organic dyes) to effectively simulate drugs in simple release diffusion experiments controlled by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to help characterize the diffusion systems. The effects of lecithin and its concentrations, as well as the effects of variously charged model drugs, were discussed. Lecithin decreases the values of the diffusion coefficient independently of the dye used and the type of crosslinking. The ability to influence transport properties is better observed in xerogel samples. The results, complementing previously published conclusions, showed that lecithin can alter a hydrogel’s structure and therefore its transport properties.

Molecular Engineering of Electrosprayed Hydrogel Microspheres to Achieve Synergistic Anti‐Tumor Chemo‐Immunotherapy with ACEA Cargo

“…Because changes in the inner structures of hydrogel MSs may affect their ability to provide controlled drug release, the effects of reducing F(III) to Fe(II), which represented the transition from dual networks to a single network, on the releasing kinetics of ACEA were assessed. [ 40 , 41 ] Equal amounts of ACEA@CL(XGMA)‐Fe(III) MSs and ACEA@CL(XGMA)‐Fe(II) MSs were immersed in leach liquor under the protection of nitrogen. At the pre‐determined time points, a proportion of leach liquor was collected.…”

Lecithin’s Roles in Oleogelation

“…Lecithin can alter the inner hydrogel’s structure through its self-assembly and therefore its transport properties. Transport properties are one of the most crucial assets of hydrogel samples, influencing their main application potential [ 41 ]. In xerogel samples, when lecithin was added, the ability to influence transport properties was better observed as it decreased the values of the diffusion coefficient independently of the dye used and the type of crosslinking [ 41 ].…”

“…Transport properties are one of the most crucial assets of hydrogel samples, influencing their main application potential [41]. In xerogel samples, when lecithin was added, the ability to influence transport properties was better observed as it decreased the values of the diffusion coefficient independently of the dye used and the type of crosslinking [41]. Tamura and Ichikawa (1997) reported that intermolecular 1:1 complexes were formed between lecithin and 12-HSA, which caused a structural change in the fibrous network in the 12-HSA organogel and consequently induced gel deformation [42].…”