3D-printing of novel pharmaceutical delivery systems for eucalypt extract

3D-printing is considered as a promising technology for fabricating patient-specific drug delivery systems (DDSs). Staphylococcal infections are challenging for global healthcare. The main drawback in their pharmacotherapy is the resistance to antimicrobial drugs. One promising approach in the battle against antibiotic-resistant strains is the use of plant-origin medicines.

The aim was to develop aqueous gels for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D-printing of eucalypt extract (EE), to design novel 3D-printed DDSs with antimicrobial activity.

A modified EE was used for preparing water-soluble 3D-printable nanoemulsions. A total of 35 substances were identified in a modified EE by GC. The dominant ones were α-phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, aromadendrene, ledene and globulol. The EE and its nanoemulsions showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) and gelatin were investigated as carrier polymers for 3D- printing. The viscosity of the gels ranged from 229000 to 633000 cP, and the injection force measured was within 20.2 – 63.2 N. Full squares (lattices) and small round discs were 3D-printed. The area ratio of full squares (3D-printed lattice area vs theoretical area) ranged from 1.24-1.87. The aqueous PEO gels loaded with EE (nanoemulsion) were applicable in pharmaceutical SSE 3D-printing. The most feasible PEO-EE gel for 3D-printing consisted of EE 10 mg/mL, eumulgin 30 mg/mL, ascorbic acid 20 mg/mL in 20% PEO gel. The present 3D-printed antibacterial delivery systems could have potential medicinal uses in the treatment of oral cavity infections and in wound healing applications.

Funding This work was supported by the Estonian Research Council grant (PRG1903) and MSCA4Ukraine (1232466).

 

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023