title: Physicochemical properties of pH-sensitive hydrogels based on hydroxyethyl cellulose-hyaluronic acid and for applications as transdermal delivery systems for skin lesions.
abstract: We investigated the physicochemical properties of pH-sensitive hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)/hyaluronic acid (HA) complex hydrogels containing isoliquiritigenin (ILTG), and discussed potential applications as transdermal delivery systems for the treatment of skin lesions caused by pH imbalance. HA has skin compatibility and pH functional groups and HEC serves as scaffold to build hydrogels with varied HCE:HA mass ratio. Hydrogels were synthesized via chemical cross-linking, and three-dimensional network structures were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling properties and polymer ratios of the hydrogels were investigated at pH values in the range 1-13. HECHA13 (i.e., an HEC:HA mass ratio of 1:3) was found to have optimal rheological and adhesive properties, and was used to investigate the drug release efficiency as a function of pH; the efficiency was greater than 70% at pH 7. Antimicrobial activity assays against Propionibacterium acnes were conducted to take advantage of the pH-sensitive properties of HECHA13. At pH 7, we found that HECHA13, which contained ILTG, inhibited the growth of P. acnes. Furthermore, HECHA13 was found to exhibit excellent permeability into the skin, which penetrated mostly via the hair follicle. These results indicate that this pH-sensitive hydrogel is effective as a transdermal delivery system for antimicrobial therapeutics, with potential applications in the treatment of acne.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fine Chemistry, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232 Gongreung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-743, South Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Sik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Fine Chemistry, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232 Gongreung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-743, South Korea.
authors.forename: Bong Ju
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.affiliation: Department of Fine Chemistry, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232 Gongreung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-743, South Korea. Electronic address: snpark@seoultech.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Soo Nam
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D047188:Chalcones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D065546:Drug Liberation; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012212:Rheology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047188:Chalcones; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D002482:Cellulose; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; C002283:hydroxyethylcellulose; C040920:isoliquiritigenin
keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Hyaluronic acid; Hydrogel; Isoliquiritigenin; Propionibacterium acnes; Smart hydrogel; Transdermal delivery system; pH-sensitive