Formulation, characterization, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cytotoxicity assessment of collagen/gelatin-based hydrogels as controlled drug release agents

Malaria has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality since prehistory. Various types of antimalarial drugs are used to treat malaria. However, the most effective drug of choice is quinine, especially for treating Plasmodium falciparum. Short half-life, rapid absorption, and high plasma protein binding of quinine limited its clinical application. To maintain a constant therapeutic level, several intakes of quinine per day are required, which leads to severe adverse effects. To address the associated issues, novel collagen/gelatin hydrogels were prepared for the controlled release of quinine. Various characterizations, including TGA, DSC, FTIR, XRD, and SEM, confirmed the successful preparation, loading of quinine, and uneven surface morphology of the fabricated matrix. Furthermore, the mechanical stability, uncross-linked and cross-linked fractions, and porosity of the developed hydrogels were investigated through mechanical, sol-gel, and porosity studies. The pH-responsive nature of the prepared matrix was evaluated by swelling and drug release analyses at three different pH levels: 1.2, 4.6, and 7.4. Swelling index of 6.3 ± 0.65, 9.5 ± 0.75, and 18.0 ± 0.64, while drug release of 55 %, 74 %, and 93 % was achieved at pH 1.2, 4.6, and 7.4, respectively. The anti-bacterial study exhibited zone of inhibition of 53.03 ± 0.41 mm and 41.20 ± 1.14 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Biodegradation study indicated a slow degradation rate of all hydrogel formulations within the range of 2 % to 98 % for three weeks. Likewise, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer studies demonstrated that the developed collagen/gelatin hydrogels reduced inflammation and inhibited cancer cell growth. Hence, the developed hydrogels have the potential to be used as a suitable agent for controlled drug delivery.