One-Step Fabrication of Hollow Spherical Cellulose Beads: Application in pH-Responsive Therapeutic Delivery
Tamilselvan Mohan, Urban Ajdnik, Chandran Nagaraj, F. Lackner, Andreja Dobaj Štiglic, Thirvengadam Palani, Lunjakorn Amornkitbamrung, Lidija Gradišnik, Uroš Maver, Rupert Kargl, Karin Stana Kleinschek
Abstract
increased from 20 to 100% when the pH of the release medium increased from pH 1.2 to 7.4. As for the DCF release patterns and kinetic models at specific pH values, the release showed a diffusion- and swelling-controlled profile, effortlessly fine-tuned by external environmental pH stimuli. Overall, we show that the modified beads exhibit excellent characteristics for transport across the gastrointestinal tract and enhance the bioavailability of the drug. Their therapeutic efficacy and biocompatibility are also evident from the studies on human fibroblast cells. We anticipate that this platform could support and inspire the development of novel sustainable and effective polysaccharide-based delivery systems.