Biomimetic PLGA-based adhesive films with mushroom-shaped microstructures as drug delivery systems
2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Azrieli College of Engineering Jerusalem, Israel
Biomimetic technologies have been developed for the purpose of reproducing or repurposing biological materials by mimicking their chemistry, structure, biological characteristics, and function1. A newly emerging field of adhesion science has been established, inspired by animals and insects with extraordinary attachment systems, based on thin film elements that allow them to control adhesion on different surfaces whether under dry or wet conditions. Among these are thin-film elements resembling mushroom-shaped microstructures (MSMs) evolved in attachment pads of male Chrysomelidae beetles. They are used for passive long-term attachment, such as in pairing, to generate strong adhesion with minimal preload. MSMs have been proven to enhance underwater adhesion of textured surfaces compared to flat reference surfaces2.
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is widely used in pharmaceutics due to its extraordinary biocompatibility and biodegradability. The properties of PLGA-based drug delivery systems can be tailored to modify the encapsulation profile and drug release kinetics to conform to the desired application. However, PLGA hydrophobic nature negatively influence its adhesion capacity on mucosal membranes. Herein, we propose PLGA-based MSMs with improved adhesion capacity for controlled release of clotrimazole as a model drug. Biomimetic adhesive PLGA films loaded with varying concentrations of clotrimazole were morphologically characterized and exhibited high drug encapsulation efficiency and loading content. The biomimetic films demonstrated significantly higher adhesion strength compared to their flat counterparts on different substrates. Clotrimazole release from biomimetic films exhibited an initial burst release accompanied by a sustained release phase3. In this study, we have reported for the first time the preparation of drug-loaded PLGA films with enhanced adhesiveness based on MSMs, without adding other adhesive excipients, for controlled drug release.
References:
(1) Green, J. J.; Elisseeff, J. H. Nature 2016, 540 (7633), 386–394.
(2) Arzt, E.; Quan, H.; McMeeking, R. M.; Hensel, R. Prog. Mater. Sci. 2021, 120, 100823.
(3) Abdel-Haq, M.; Alyan, R.; Abd-Rbo, K.; Kasem, H.; Abu Ammar, A. Int. J. Pharm. 2021, 601, 120578.
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