Characterization, in vitro antibacterial activity, and toxicity for rat of tetracycline in a nanocomposite hydrogel based on PEG and cellulose

Hydrogels are among the drug delivery systems that are used to modify drug release by the oral route. Inclusion of porous nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) in a hydrogel matrix structure improves the mechanical strength of the hydrogel and modifies drug release. CNF have been widely used for the preparation of biomedical systems because of low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Besides, a positive influence on mechanical and physical resistance is shown. In this study, nanocomposite hydrogels containing polyethylene glycol, Acrylamide, N, N′-methylene bis-acrylamide, and CNF are formulated, and then tetracycline was loaded into the hydrogels. Tetracycline release was measured using UV spectrometer. Morphology and microscopic structure of synthesized nanocomposites are studied using FE-SEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of tetracycline nanocomposite hydrogels against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was tested. Nanocomposite hydrogel oral toxicity test was performed in adult male Wistar rats. The results showed that the formulation has no significant statistical effect on the behavioral pattern, body weight, and clinical parameters of the experimental animals. Furthermore, pathological examination showed the normal structure of stomach and intestine. Antibacterial activity study showed that Staphylococcus aureus and E. Coli are sensitive to the formulated compound 3. Therefore, these formulations can be considered for future as oral drug delivery systems.