A Novel Dual-Layer Sodium Alginate-Gelatin Hydrogel System for Controlled Drug Release in Oxidative Environments

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly affect drug degradation and delivery efficacy, leading to premature therapeutics release. This study presents a novel dual-layered hydrogel system engineered for controlled and ROS-resistant release of therapeutics in environments characterized by oxidative stress. The designed hydrogel consisted of an outer sodium alginate matrix infused with ascorbic acid creating an antioxidant barrier, and an inner gelatin-based core loaded with 1 ml of methylene blue dye, serving as a model drug. The final construct was crosslinked using calcium chloride (CaCl2) and tested in a hydrogen peroxide solution (2%) to mimic an oxidative environment. Spectrophotometric measurements at 664 nm were recorded for 35 minutes to evaluate dye release kinetics. Compared to control conditions, where the compound was not encapsulated and exhibited rapid diffusion, the hydrogel system demonstrated sustained release, with a gradual increase in absorbance over 35 minutes, indicating controlled diffusion under oxidative conditions. Kinetic modeling with zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations showed that the Korsmeyer-Peppas model fit the data the best, suggesting case II transport, a mechanism regulated by polymer swelling and relaxation (n ≈ 0.99). Results show potential for the use of double-layered sodium alginate-gelatin hydrogels for drug delivery in diseases with environments of elevated ROS, such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and chronic inflammation. Supplementary Material File (official hydrogel paper (2).pdf) - Download - 2.03 MB Information & Authors Information Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License.

Authors Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 272views 162downloads Citations Download citation Janani Ramkumar. A Novel Dual-Layer Sodium Alginate-Gelatin Hydrogel System for Controlled Drug Release in Oxidative Environments. Authorea. 15 July 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175251225.55406714/v2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175251225.55406714/v2 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.