Design as strategy for evaluation of the mechanical properties of binary mixtures composed of poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) and Pluronic F127 for biomedical applications

• Published in: Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials Vol. 138; p. 105608
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Ariane Stephanie, de Souza Ferreira, Sabrina Barbosa, Bruschi, Marcos Luciano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Adhesiveness; Bioadhesion; Flow properties; Maleic Anhydrides; Mechanical properties; Poloxamer; Polymers; Rheology; Textural; Viscoelasticity; Viscoelasticity; Mechanical properties; Bioadhesion; Textural; Flow properties
• ISSN: 1751-6161; 1878-0180
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105608

The synergism between thermoresponsive and bioadhesive polymers can lead to the optimization of materials with enhanced mechanical and bioadhesive properties. Quality by Design can assure the understanding and control of formulation variables. In this approach, Design of Experiment has been widely utilized as an important strategy. Poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) (PVMMA) is a bioadhesive polymer and Pluronic F127 (PF127) shows thermoresponsiveness. The association of these two polymers has been poorly investigated. The aim of this work was to study the mechanical, bioadhesive and rheological properties of polymer mixtures composed of PVMMA and PF127, in order to select the best conditions and formulations for biomedical applications. Textural properties (hardness, compressibility, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and elasticity), softness index, bioadhesion and rheological characteristics (flow and viscoelasticity) showed that 17.5–20% (w/w) PF127-polymer mixtures displayed improved values of the parameters. However, the rheological interaction parameter showed low synergism, due to the polymers' characteristics and system organization. The formulations displayed gelation temperatures suitable for administration, with improved bioadhesive properties mainly at 34 °C and suggests the formulations can be used for biomedical applications. DoE constituted an important tool to investigate these systems showing the main effects that significantly influence the binary mixtures. [Display omitted] •Mechanical and bioadhesive study of PVMMA-PF127 mixtures improves their use.•Increasing PF127 content and temperature increased mechanical and rheological properties.•Systems with a higher PF127 amount showed Tsol-gel to ensure easy administration and good retention.•DoE showed that 17.5 and 20% PF127-systems are potentially useful for biomedical applications.