Bioadhesive 3D-Printed Skin Drug Delivery Polymeric Films: From the Drug Loading in Mesoporous Silica to the Manufacturing Process

Abstract

The alliance between 3D printing and nanomaterials brings versatile properties to pharmaceuticals, but few studies have explored this approach in the development of skin delivery formulations. In this study, clobetasol propionate (CP) was loaded (about 25% w/w) in mesoporous silica nanomaterial (MSN) to formulate novel bioadhesive and hydrophilic skin delivery films composed of pectin (5% w/v) and carboxymethylcellulose (5% w/v) by 3D printing. As a hydrophobic model drug, CP was encapsulated in MSN at a 3:1 (w/w) ratio, resulting in a decrease of CP crystallinity and an increase of its dissolution efficiency after 72 h (65.70 ± 6.52%) as compared to CP dispersion (40.79 ± 4.75%), explained by its partial change to an amorphous form. The CP-loaded MSN was incorporated in an innovative hydrophilic 3D-printable ink composed of carboxymethylcellulose and pectin (1:1, w/w), which showed high tensile strength (3.613 ± 0.38 N, a homogenous drug dose (0.48 ± 0.032 mg/g per film) and complete CP release after 10 h. Moreover, the presence of pectin in the ink increased the skin adhesion of the films (work of adhesion of 782 ± 105 mN·mm). Therefore, the alliance between MSN and the novel printable ink composed of carboxymethylcellulose and pectin represents a new platform for the production of 3D-printed bioadhesive films, opening a new era in the development of skin delivery systems.

Magnetic Mesoporous Silica for Targeted Drug Delivery of Chloroquine: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation

“…This hypothesis was supported by comparing the magMCM-CQ curve with its respective physical mixture (magMCM mixed with crystalline CQ), in which a signal of the CQ melting point can be seen, although with less intensity due to the small CQ content in the total sample. The amorphization process has been reported for silica-based mesoporous materials [ 47 , 48 ] and was attributed to the confinement effect of the drug by the pore walls [ 21 ]; small and dispersed quantities of the drug could have their crystallization capacity hampered, thereby increasing drug solubility [ 19 , 49 , 50 ].…”

“…The enhancement is due to the prevalence of the drug’s amorphous form when encapsulated, which increases the drug dissolution/release rate and bioavailability. This feature is provided by the pore confinement effect, which can be achieved using MCM-41 as a nanocarrier [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Ivermectin-Loaded Mesoporous Silica and Polymeric Nanocapsules: Impact on Drug Loading, In Vitro Solubility Enhancement, and Release Performance

“…A complete diffusion of IVM from an ethanolic solution (96 ± 2%) occurred after 48 h along with a similar release profile observed for the IVM-MCM (78 ± 3%). By contrast, crystalline IVM dispersed in an aqueous medium had very limited diffusion through the dialysis bag (35 ± 7%), most likely due to its low solubility in the aqueous medium and, consequently, low dissolution rate, as previously discussed for other poorly water-soluble drugs [ 38 ]. These results indicate an improvement in the apparent aqueous solubility of IVM when nanoencapsulated in the pores of MCM-41.…”

“…This study revealed a release profile identical to that of the drug in solution, providing evidence for the enhanced aqueous solubility of triamcinolone [ 37 ]. Similarly, the incorporation of clobetasol propionate in MCM-41 silica induced an alteration from a crystalline to an amorphous state, facilitating the drug dissolution process and subsequently increasing its apparent solubility [ 38 ].…”

“…Among the distinct types of MSNs, MCM-41 is well known for its 2D porous hexagonal structure and narrow distribution of mesopores with a large volume and high surface area. The highly porous structure enables the adsorption and transport of large amounts of molecules or drugs [ 36 ] and a confinement effect of the molecules in nanometric pores can stabilize the loaded drug in its amorphous state, which is associated with an increase in the dissolution/release rate and bioavailability [ 37 , 38 ].…”