Supramolecular strategy for polymer gel and fiber loading with drug

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were used as model biocompatible polymers for their loading with a supramolecular gel containing ibuprofen (IBUH) drug and meglumine (MG). It was demonstrated that IBUH-MG gel represents a versatile platform for the fabrication of bulk gels and fibers loaded with drugs. MG served as alkalizer and drug excipient agent. PAA and IBUH were dissolved in the presence of MG to form PAA-MG, IBUH-MG and PAA-IBUH-MG bulk gels. In another strategy, electrospinning was used for the fabrication of pure PEO fibers and composite PEO fibers loaded with IBUH solubilized using NaOH or MG. The use of NaOH resulted in phase separations, whereas the application of MG facilitated the formation of uniform PEO fibers loaded with IBUH-MG gel. The mechanisms of gel formation are discussed. The obtained results open an avenue for the fabrication of other hydrogel systems containing various polymers, drugs and other functional materials. • Meglumine (MG) was used as a solubilizing and gel forming agent for drug delivery. • Ibuprofen (IBUH) drug and polyacrylic acid (PAA) polymer were dissolved using MG. • PAA-MG, IBUH-MG and PAA-IBUH-MG bulk gels were prepared. • Polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used for the fabrication of fibers by electrospinning. • The use of IBUH-MG instead of IBUH-NaOH in PEO fibers prevents phase separation.