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Gels
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Recent Advances in Gels Engineering for Drug Delivery (2nd Edition)
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Recent Advances in Gels Engineering for Drug Delivery (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2024 | Viewed by 415

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mireia Mallandrich Miret

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: nanocarriers; topical drug delivery systems; dermal absorption; skin models; in vitro studies; nanomedicine; transdermal delivery; transmucosal delivery; cronocosmetic; skin biodistribution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francisco Fernández-Campos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
R&D Department, Labiana Pharmaceuticals, 08757 Corbera Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: nanotechnology; molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory drugs; antibiotics and antifungals; drug delivery systems; topical inflammatory diseases; pharmacokinetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gels and nanogels are promising drug delivery systems for different administration routes (oral, parenteral, or topical) due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, both of which allow for the modification of biological properties and pharmacokinetic profiles. Advances in polymer sciences and structural modifications of polymers imbue nanogels with intriguing properties; these may include responsiveness to different stimuli (pH, temperature, ionic strength, endogenous compounds, etc.), improved adhesion to biological surfaces, and improved anti-microbiological properties among others. In addition, advances in gel-manufacturing processes could improve the efficiency of these drug delivery systems and present a more realistic approach to administration to real patients.

We propose this Special Issue “Recent Advances in Gels Engineering for Drug Delivery (2nd Edition)”, to present up-to-date information about the potential use of gels and nanogels for treating different diseases and to collate novel approaches (including new manufacturing and composition properties), focusing mainly on biomedical applications. Both research articles and review manuscripts are welcome.

Dr. Mireia Mallandrich Miret
Dr. Francisco Fernández-Campos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gels and nanogels
  • drug delivery
  • biomedical applications
  • topical administration
  • oral administration
  • parenteral administration
  • stimuli-responsive gels

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 4199 KiB  
Article
Porphyrin Photosensitizers into Polysaccharide-Based Biopolymer Hydrogels for Topical Photodynamic Therapy: Physicochemical and Pharmacotechnical Assessments
by Andreea Mihaela Burloiu, Emma Adriana Ozon, Adina Magdalena Musuc, Mihai Anastasescu, Radu Petre Socoteanu, Irina Atkinson, Daniela C. Culita, Valentina Anuta, Ioana Andreea Popescu, Dumitru Lupuliasa, Dragoș Paul Mihai, Cerasela Elena Gîrd and Rica Boscencu
Gels 2024, 10(8), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10080499 - 27 Jul 2024
Viewed by 257
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging treatment modality that utilizes light-sensitive compounds, known as photosensitizers, to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can selectively destroy malignant or diseased tissues upon light activation. This study investigates the incorporation of two porphyrin structures, 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin [...] Read more.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging treatment modality that utilizes light-sensitive compounds, known as photosensitizers, to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can selectively destroy malignant or diseased tissues upon light activation. This study investigates the incorporation of two porphyrin structures, 5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tris-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.2.) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-acetoxy-3-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin (P2.1.), into hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) hydrogels for potential use in topical photodynamic therapy (PDT). The structural and compositional properties of the resulting hydrogels were characterized using advanced techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. FTIR spectra revealed a slight shift of the main characteristic absorption bands corresponding to the porphyrins and their interactions with the HPC matrix, indicating successful incorporation and potential hydrogen bonding. XRD patterns revealed the presence of crystalline domains within the HPC matrix, indicating partial crystallization of the porphyrins dispersed within the amorphous polymer structure. TGA results indicated enhanced thermal stability of the HPC–porphyrin gels compared to 10% HPC gel, with additional weight loss stages corresponding to the thermal degradation of the porphyrins. Rheological analysis showed that the gels exhibited pseudoplastic behavior and thixotropic properties, with minimal impact on the flow properties of HPC by P2.1., but notable changes in viscosity and shear stress with P2.2. incorporation, indicating structural modifications. AFM imaging revealed a homogeneous distribution of porphyrins, and UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the retention of their photophysical properties. Pharmacotechnical evaluations showed that the hydrogels possessed suitable mechanical properties, optimal pH, high swelling ratios, and excellent spreadability, making them ideal for topical application. These findings suggest that the porphyrin-incorporated HPC hydrogels have significant potential as effective therapeutic agents for topical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Gels Engineering for Drug Delivery (2nd Edition))
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