The Controlled Release and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Tetramethylpyrazine-Loaded Thermosensitive Poloxamer Hydrogel

Abstract

Purpose: Tetramethylpyrazine-loaded poloxamer hydrogel materials were studied to achieve the controlled release of tetramethylpyrazine.

Methods: First, hydrogels having different concentrations of poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 were prepared. The gelling temperature and viscosity were measured. Second, we investigated the tetramethylpyrazine release rate from the thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel materials in vitro and ex vivo. Finally, further study of the pharmacological efficacy of the tetramethylpyrazine-loaded thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel materials was also investigated in vivo.

Results: The in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experimental results showed that the tetramethylpyrazine-loaded poloxamer hydrogel with the appropriate gelling temperature, good adhesion and easy preparation controlled the release of tetramethylpyrazine.

Conclusions: The hydrogel with the suitable nasal temperature and a satisfactory adhesion was selected. The relevant tests were carried out, including the determination of the concentration of drugs in the brain homogenate and the anti-inflammatory test after different modes of administration. So the poloxamer hydrogel was a novel carrier to deliver TMP to pass across the blood brain barrier via nasal administration.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory test; controlled release; gelling temperature; tetramethylpyrazine; thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel.