Preparation and Characterization of Dual Phase Transition Oral Hydrogel for Sustained Release of Epirubicin

In situ gelling formulations composed of pluronic (Plu) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were prepared for oral delivery the antitumor drug, epirubicin. The physicochemical properties, including swelling ratio, viscosity, and gel strength of these formulations with three different concentrations of PAA were characterized. Formulations all developed hydrogel forms and thus released epirubicin in a sustained way in vitro. The assay of the formulations with different epirubicin concentrations on growth inhibition of CT-26 (mouse colon adenocarcinoma) cells reveals cell viability % is decreased dose-dependently. This study highlights the advantages of using dual phase transition hydrogel to deliver antitumor drugs.