Structural changes in pH-responsive gelatin/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate blends aimed at drug-release systems

Nogami, Satoshi*; Kadota, Kazunori*; Uchiyama, Hiromasa*; Arima-Osonoi, Hiroshi*; Iwase, Hiroki*; Tominaga, Taiki*; Yamada, Takeshi*; Takata, Shinichi  ; Shibayama, Mitsuhiro*; Tozuka, Yuichi*

The present study aimed to investigate the thermal-and pH-dependent gelation behavior of gelatin/HPMCP blends using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry, viscoelasticity, and dynamic light scattering (DLS). We found that the release of lisinopril from gelatin/HPMCP gels can be inhibited at low pH. UV spectrophotometric analysis showed that pH had a significant effect on the transparency of aqueous HPMCP systems and gelatin/ HPMCP gels. The viscoelastic patterns of gelatin/HPMCP at pH 4.6 considerably differed from those of gelatin/ HPMCP at pH 5.2 and 6.0. DLS measurements showed that HPMCP molecules in low concentrations underwent strong aggregation below pH 4.8. Such HPMCP aggregation induces a physical barrier in the matrix structures of the gelatin/HPMCP gels, which inhibits the drug release at pH 1.2. This hydrogel delivery system using polymer blends of gelatin/HPMCP can be used in oral gel formulations with pH-responsive properties.