Cryo-Structuring of Polymeric Systems. Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)-Based Cryogels Loaded with the Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Microbeads and the Evaluation of Such Composites as the Delivery Vehicles for Simvastatin

Abstract

Highly porous composite poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cryogels loaded with the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) microbeads containing the drug, simvastatin (SVN), were prepared via cryogenic processing (freezing—storing frozen—defrosting) of the beads’ suspensions in aqueous PVA solution. The rigidity of the resultant composite cryogels increased with increasing the filler content. Optical microscopy of the thin section of such gel matrices revealed macro-porous morphology of both continuous (PVA cryogels) and discrete (PHB-microbeads) phases. Kinetic studies of the SVN release from the drug-loaded microbeads, the non-filled PVA cryogel and the composite material showed that the cryogel-based composite system could potentially serve as a candidate for the long-term therapeutic system for controlled drug delivery. Such PHB-microbeads-containing PVA-cryogel-based composite drug delivery carriers were unknown earlier; their preparation and studies have been performed for the first time.

Cryostructuring of Polymeric Systems: 67 Properties and Microstructure of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Cryogels Formed in the Presence of Phenol or Bis-Phenols Introduced into the Aqueous Polymeric Solutions Prior to Their Freeze–Thaw Processing

“…A similar release mechanism of various substances from the PVACG-based matrices was also observed for the diverse drugs (e.g., see refs. [122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129]), thus confirming the promising potential of PVA cryogels as polymeric vehicles for drug delivery systems.…”

Cryogels: Advancing Biomaterials for Transformative Biomedical Applications

“…This suggests that PVA cryogel could serve as a prolonged-release matrix for hydrophobic drugs. Another study developed highly porous composite PVA cryogels loaded with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) microbeads containing the drug simvastatin (SVN) [ 93 ]. These composite cryogels exhibited rigidity and showed promise for controlled drug delivery.…”

“…Cryogels based on PEG derivatives offer unique advantages in immunotherapeutic treatments, slow-releasing drug reservoirs, nerve growth promotion, and precision delivery of signaling proteins [ 23 , 24 , 87 , 88 , 142 ]. Additionally, cryogels incorporating PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) and PVOH hybrids have demonstrated controlled drug release, wound healing properties, and applications in orthopedic and cardiovascular devices [ 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 ].…”

“…Moreover, cryogels have been explored for gene delivery, cartilage tissue regeneration, and as drug delivery systems for cancer treatment and water purification [ 69 , 109 , 110 , 111 ]. They have demonstrated characteristics such as improved encapsulation efficiency, sustained release profiles, enhanced drug solubility, and controlled release behavior, making them suitable for a wide range of therapeutic applications [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 90 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ].…”

The Importance of Chitosan Coatings in Dentistry

“…This structural construction emphasizes the three-dimensional distribution of the substance particles, creating a healing process and allowing for bone regeneration and new bone formation. The three-dimensional distribution refers not only to dentistry but also to all aspects of medicine and science [71][72][73][74]. Chitosan has many applications in almost every field because of its unique properties, but it also has some limitations.…”