Formulation of Thermosensitive Hydrogel Containing Cyclodextrin for Controlled Drug Delivery of Camptothecin

Purpose: To formulate and evaluate temperature-sensitive, controlled-release camptothecin hydrogel for anticancer drug delivery.Method: Temperature-sensitive hydrogel based on chitosan/β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was prepared by crosslinking method. The formulations were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), gelation time, and viscometry, as well as for controlled release. The formulation, containing camptothecin, was studied by MTT assay on tumor cell MCF-7. The effectiveness of treatment was measured in terms of controlled tumor growth inhibition (TGI).Results: The hydrogel formulation showed good properties in terms of pH, gelation, viscosity and invitro release. The gelation temperature and viscosity of the formulation was optimum. Camptothecin (CPT) released from the hydrogel (TF8) over 8 h in pH 7.4 buffer ranged from 38.97 - 92.5 %, and varied according to the composition of the hydrogels. Release of camptothecin was lowest from preparations without cyclodextrins. Tumor growth inhibition activity of CPT in MCF-7 cell was highest for the formulation containing 1 % chitosan, 8 % β-GP and 1 % β-CD while no inhibition was observed for the blank temperature sensitive hydrogel formulation.Conclusion: These formulations are a promising and more effective delivery system that can be developed to serve as an alternative to the conventional system for anticancer drug delivery.Keywords: Hydrogel, Chitosan, β-Glycerophosphate, β-Cyclodextrin, Camptothecin, MCF-7 cell lin