An injectable carboxymethyl chitosan-methylcellulose-pluronic hydrogel for the encapsulation of meloxicam loaded nanoparticles.

Hydrogel scaffolds have been frequently utilized due to their ability to absorb water and develop similar body cell conditions. Specific drug delivery to the tissues ensures less adverse side effects and more efficiency. In the present study, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-methylcellulose (MC)-pluronic (P) and zinc chloride hydrogels containing meloxicam loaded into nanoparticles were developed and characterized. Nanoparticles were incorporated at 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5% (w/v). Hydrogels containing the same amounts of the meloxicam solution were also prepared. Gelation time, swelling and degradation of the hydrogels were investigated. Hydrogels were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and rheological analysis. Meloxicam release, chondrocytes attachment and growth on the hydrogels were also studied. Gelation time, swelling and the degradation rate of the hydrogels were found to be decreased by nanoparticles and increased with the addition of the meloxicam solution. SEM images also showed three-dimensional networks. The ATR-FTIR bands were shifted to the lower wave numbers in the hydrogels containing nanoparticles and shifted to the upper ones in the hydrogels containing meloxicam solution. Storage (G') and loss (G″) modulus were increased by the nanoparticles and reduced by the meloxicam solution. 100% of meloxicam was released from the hydrogels containing the meloxicam solution within 20 days, but it was released slowly from the hydrogels containing nanoparticles in 37days. Chondrocytes metabolic activity was increased on the 6th and 10th days for all hydrogels. Hydrogel containing nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility, bioadhesion, cell growth and expansion. The hydrogel could be, therefore, suitable as a new composite biomaterial for the regeneration of articular cartilage and meloxicam delivery to control the pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis.