Author(s):
Rajeshree Panigrahi, Jajnadatta Panda, Ajit Kumar Acharya, Biswaranjan Mohanty, Iswori Prasad Padhy, Deepak Kumar Dash
Email(s):
ajit417@gmail.com , biswaranjanm5@gmail.com , ajit417@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00775 
Address:
Rajeshree Panigrahi1, Jajnadatta Panda2, Ajit Kumar Acharya3*, Biswaranjan Mohanty4*, Iswori Prasad Padhy1, Deepak Kumar Dash5
1Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, Royal College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Andhapasara Road, Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha-760002, India.
2Assistant professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mohuda, Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha-760002, India.
3Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, Nityananda College of Pharmacy, NH 16, Seragarh, Balasore, Odisha, India- 756060.
4Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, Dhaneswar Rath Institute of Engineering and Medical Sciences (DRIEMS University), Tangi, Cuttack-754 022, Odisha, India.
5Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, Royal College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Andhapasara Road, Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha-760002, India.
6Professor, Royal College of Pharmacy, Raipur, Chhatisgarh, India- 492099.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 18,
Issue - 11,
Year - 2025
ABSTRACT:
Objective: The objective of this work was to formulate and characterize a series of phase-separated hydrogel formulations based on gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) for controlled delivery applications. Methods: The hydrogel was evaluated for physicochemical properties such as swelling index, mechanical strength, and pH compatibility. Thermal stability was assessed using Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA/DSC), while microscopy confirmed phase separation. Biocompatibility and stability were examined under different storage conditions. Drug release kinetics and mechanisms were analyzed, and FTIR was used to identify material interactions. Result: Gelatin/HPMC hydrogels were prepared via segregative phase separation and stabilized with glutaraldehyde to enhance structural integrity. The hydrogels exhibited hydrogen bonding, pH-responsive swelling, and mechanical properties influenced by HPMC viscosity. Moisture content was consistent across formulations (80-85%). Higher HPMC viscosity reduced swelling at acidic pH, altered mechanical strength, and slowed drug release by forming a robust gel network. Conclusion: Gelatin/HPMC-based phase-separated hydrogels demonstrate potential as pH-sensitive intravaginal drug delivery systems, offering sustained and controlled release of antibiotics. FTIR confirmed strong hydrogen bonding, while swelling, impedance, and mechanical studies highlighted the influence of HPMC content on hydrogel properties. These biodegradable hydrogels are flexible, user-friendly, and effective for localized therapeutic delivery. Discussion: This study develops pH-sensitive hydrogels made from gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) for controlled intravaginal drug delivery. These hydrogels, which degrade after use, exhibit enhanced water retention, controlled drug release, and pH-responsive swelling behaviour, indicating their potential as effective drug delivery systems.
Cite this article:
Rajeshree Panigrahi, Jajnadatta Panda, Ajit Kumar Acharya, Biswaranjan Mohanty, Iswori Prasad Padhy, Deepak Kumar Dash. Preparation and characterization of phase-separated hydrogels based on gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for vaginal drug delivery applications. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(11):5377-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00775
Cite(Electronic):
Rajeshree Panigrahi, Jajnadatta Panda, Ajit Kumar Acharya, Biswaranjan Mohanty, Iswori Prasad Padhy, Deepak Kumar Dash. Preparation and characterization of phase-separated hydrogels based on gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for vaginal drug delivery applications. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(11):5377-4. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00775 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2025-18-11-37
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