Hydrogel delivery
Drug bioavailability, the rate at which the active compound of a drug becomes available at the site of action, is key to the successful development of new drugs. The development of hydrogels, self-assembling polymer-based scaffolds, has rapidly accelerated in recent years because of their potential in the improvement of drug bioavailability.
Drug bioavailability, the rate at which the active compound of a drug becomes available at the site of action, is key to the successful development of new drugs. The development of hydrogels, self-assembling polymer-based scaffolds, has rapidly accelerated in recent years because of their potential in the improvement of drug bioavailability.
Hydrogels can be engineered in a number of ways depending on the desired function. Scientists in Japan1 have recently demonstrated the use of a gelatin based hydrogel for the successful administration of a bio therapeutic anti-cancer compound to colon cancer cell lines, reducing the rate of proliferation and migration.
The scientists encapsulated a bioactive lipid, cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA), within a gelatine scaffold and observed the effect on the growth of a cell-line derived from colon cancer. Electrospray ionization liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (ESI–MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysed cPA release from the scaffold and the rate of degradation. It was found that encapsulation of the drug within the hydrogel improved the lifetime of the drug post-administration by protecting it from degradation, in addition to allowing the gradual release of the drug.
1. Tamotsu Tsukahara and K Murakami-Murofushi, Nature Scientific Reports,2(687), (2012).
This story originally appeared in The Column. Click here to view that issue.
Best of the Week: Food Analysis, Chemical Migration in Plastic Bottles, STEM Researcher of the Year
December 20th 2024Top articles published this week include the launch of our “From Lab to Table” content series, a Q&A interview about using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) to assess chemical hazards in plastic bottles, and a piece recognizing Brett Paull for being named Tasmanian STEM Researcher of the Year.
Using LC-MS/MS to Measure Testosterone in Dried Blood Spots
December 19th 2024Testosterone measurements are typically performed using serum or plasma, but this presents several logistical challenges, especially for sample collection, storage, and transport. In a recently published article, Yehudah Gruenstein of the University of Miami explored key insights gained from dried blood spot assay validation for testosterone measurement.
Determination of Pharmaceuticals by Capillary HPLC-MS/MS (Dec 2024)
December 19th 2024This application note demonstrates the use of a compact portable capillary liquid chromatograph, the Axcend Focus LC, coupled to an Agilent Ultivo triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical drugs in model aqueous samples.
